The Hong Kong MTR is amazing most of the time, so don’t judge it for recent failures

Hong Kong MTR

Letters

Published: 7:03pm, 24 Oct 2018

Why you can trust SCMP

I refer to an image circulating online of apparent wall graffiti near the Kennedy Town MTR station, calling the city’s subway system the “most troublesome railway”. The image has gained great traction on social media.

While it is understandable that the public is disappointed by the big delays on the train system last week, and other reports of shoddy workmanship and possible cover-ups on more than one line, the performance of the MTR should be viewed from a wider perspective.

The overall impact of the delay is a reflection of the importance of the MTR, which carries more than 5.5 million passengers every day. With half of all passenger journeys taken off the road, Hong Kong remains a vibrant city with no serious congestion problem.

Hong Kong’s MTR by the numbers

Stop griping about train delays and help MTR improve

Carrying such a large number of passengers all day, every day, is no small task. And, overall, the MTR has discharged this duty admirably well. As a globe-trotter, I have yet to see another railway system that is so efficient, so reliable, so secure, and one that offers such “value for money”. The MTR is a shining example of Hong Kong’s “can do” spirit.

While the MTR must come up with an explanation for the cause of the serious delay and actions it will take to prevent such an incident recurring, we should not be too harsh on the workhorse that has served the general public so dutifully over the years.

Dennis Li, Mid-Levels

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