My Take | When train doors fall off, you know you have a problem
- The transport sector has powerful interests, with many resistant to change. The government must show political will to reform and modernise the system
Hong Kong’s commuters demand high standards from the city’s public transport system. I am no exception. One day last week I was outraged when my ferry into town arrived 12 minutes late. This is not the level of service I expect.
But my frustration is a testament to the impressive efficiency of the transport network compared to other parts of the world. It is relatively cheap and reliable. This is just as well as only a privileged minority own cars.
News reports sometimes make much of setbacks that visitors from places with less reliable transport systems would regard as routine. A 15-minute wait on the mass transit railway has been described in news reports as a “lengthy delay”. When I worked in London, I was relieved if the train turned up at all.
The accident occurred at around 6pm as the train approached Causeway Bay, one of the busiest stations. Three hours of disruption ensued as the suspension of services to sections of the Island Line prompted passengers to seek trams, buses and taxis instead.
The MTR Corporation has expressed “deep concern” about the incident which it is investigating. Eight billboards mounted on the sides of the tunnel have been dismantled.