Letters | Covid pandemic no excuse for poor service on MTR East Rail line
- The MTR Corp has reduced service frequency claiming this is in compliance with pandemic control measures
- But the introduction of nine-carriage trains aggravates the problem by squeezing more people together and increasing the risk of infection
While the MTR Corporation began reducing the frequency of East Rail line service with the outbreak of Covid-19 in the city,claiming that this was in compliance with the government’s policy, I cannot see any point in maintaining the low frequency when most companies and schools, if not all, have resumed their routines, meaning that there are no longer fewer people going to school or work.
At this moment, during off-peak hours, the waiting time can be as long as seven to eight minutes for each train, whereas during peak hours it is around four to five minutes, which surely cannot meet commuter demand.
When there is no social distancing at all, how can MTR Corp justify their reduced service with the excuse that they’re complying with government policy?
Worse still, not long ago the railway monopoly increased fares. I believe that many citizens are furious but have no way of making themselves heard. Are we supposed to tolerate the unreasonable fare hike, on top of substandard service?