A crack on an MTR track caused rush-hour disruption yesterday morning and prompted lawmakers to demand greater government scrutiny.
It was the MTR's second incident involving cracks on tracks in three weeks. The crack was found between Admiralty and Tsim Sha Tsui at 7.50am. Trains had to slow down and frequency on the Tsuen Wan Line dropped from two minutes to up to 3 1/2 minutes.
Travel times increased by four minutes, and passengers were advised to cross the harbour though the Tseung Kwan O line or the Tung Chung line.
Train services returned to normal after nearly four hours when metal plates were inserted to brace the track temporarily at 11.30am. The rail section was later replaced.
On January 19, a crack was found on the track near Sunny Bay and trains were disrupted for four hours.
Democratic party lawmaker Wong Sing-chi said the government, as one of the MTR's major shareholders, should not only require the company to hand in reports after incidents, but also set up a points system to monitor the railway's service.
'The MTR has been spoilt by the government. It has become irresponsible, unreliable and unsafe,' he said.