MTR urged to review capacity measures to ease train crowding

Watch: Hong Kong's MTR at capacity during peak hours

The government has asked the MTR Corporation to study measures to ease the squeeze on rush-hour trains, most of which are near-full based on a new measure of capacity.

The Transport and Housing Bureau says changing passenger habits - including the growing use of mobile gadgets - means capacity should be calculated based on a maximum of four passengers per square metre instead of six. Options to ease the crush include operating more trains and ripping out seats.

Under the new standard, the East Rail and Tseung Kwan O lines are at maximum capacity at peak hours, up from 70 per cent under the old measure. The West Rail, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong and Island lines are at more than 90 per cent of capacity, with the Ma On Shan line at 80 per cent.

"Passengers ... are less willing to board a train that looks crowded even when there is room available. They prefer waiting for the next train," the bureau said in a paper to the Legislative Council yesterday. "Besides, there is an increasing number of passengers reading newspapers or using mobile devices such as tablet computers or smartphones during their trips that require more personal space."