I WOULD like to complain about the KCRC's failure once again in handling emergency situations despite previous experiences. I was one of thousands of passengers in a KCR train travelling south from Fotan to Kowloon Tong on September 21. Shortly after departing Fotan Station, the train stopped suddenly between two stations. This was around 5.50 pm. The lights and air-conditioning also stopped, and the driver of the train communicated with the passengers, through the microphone a total of three times between 5.50 pm and 6.10 pm, informing us that there was a minor accident at Sha Tin Station. We were later informed that arrangements had been made for a locomotive to come to our aid. We were ''trapped'' in the train for some 40 minutes and could not tolerate it much longer as there wasn't enough fresh air. So some passengers forced the doors open and everyone rushed out of the train, down the railroad and over the fences to get outside. This was my worst experience in the KCR and one which I feel was handled most unprofessionally. What I'd like to know is: (1) Why the driver didn't answer the passenger's request for help through the emergency button? If there was a passenger emergency would the driver or KCRC be responsible for any related sickness or even death? (2) Why KCRC didn't arrange for a locomotive to come to our help from the nearest Fotan Depot. Why did we have to wait for nearly 30 minutes without any further notification of the matter from the driver? (3) In addition, when we, the passengers, got out of the rail area, we found that the KMB drivers there didn't even know that KCR was having trouble - i.e. KCRC hadn't informed or requested other public transportation services for its passengers. I suggest the KCRC reconsider its emergency/ contingency plans. Also that the design of its trains be changed to those similar to the MTRC, eg, by installing some emergency doors or windows for better air ventilation at least if not for escape. DOROTHY HO Kowloon Tong
