MTR tells passengers 'trains are too busy - take the bus instead'
Plan to ease rush-hour congestion sees monthly passholders get free travel on six KMB routes
MTR passengers holding monthly passes on any of three routes will be able to travel free on six KMB bus routes during the morning rush hour in the latest effort by the rail operator to ease congestion on its trains.
The trial scheme, announced yesterday, will run every Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, from October 6 to May 29 next year.
Those with monthly passes travelling from Tuen Mun to Nam Cheong or Hung Hom, and from Sheung Shui to East Tsim Sha Tsui will not have to pay bus fares on six KMB routes leaving Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui and Tai Po between 7.15am and 7.55am.
MTR's commercial director, Jeny Yeung Mei-chun, said the scheme was intended to "relieve the high demand pressure points in the rail network during the morning peak period".
It follows the rail company's attempt to ease crowding on trains by rolling out an "early bird" scheme this month. That gives passengers a 25 per cent discount on fares when they exit at one of 29 urban stations between 7.15 and 8.15am.
Transport expert Dr Hung Wing-tat of the Polytechnic University said it was an indication that "the MTR feels it is overloaded and need to divert passengers to the buses".