MTR passengers say 'ease squeeze with early-bird fares'
Commuters back government suggestion to tempt them off rush-hour trains with discounts after new quota pushes capacities to the limit
Rush-hour commuters on the MTR told the South China Morning Post yesterday they would catch earlier trains if fares were cheaper but balked at the idea of ripping out seats to squeeze more people into carriages.
It follows a change in the maximum capacity quota from six passengers per square metre to four - meaning the East Rail and Tseung Kwan O lines are now deemed to have reached capacity during rush-hour instead of being considered 70 per cent full.
The Transport and Housing Bureau told the MTR Corporation this week that the growing use of mobile gadgets was one reason why passengers required more room, and passengers were less likely to board packed trains.
With the new calculation also pushing West Rail, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong and Island lines to more than 90 per cent capacity at rush hour, the government has asked the MTR to look at how to ease the squeeze, including the possibility of removing seats or introducing early-bird schemes.
Watch: Hong Kong's MTR during peak hours
On an eastward Island Line train at Admiralty at about 8.40am, the Post counted 25 people in the six square metres between the train doors on either side, slightly over the new quota - but at least six of them were in the one square metre right behind the door nearest the platform.