Travel in harmony: arts chief urges MTR to embrace creative spirit and allow large musical instruments on trains

A leading arts figure has urged the MTR Corp to embrace the city's creative culture and allow people to carry large musical instruments on trains.

Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, chairman of the Arts Development Council, said he was concerned that a number of students carrying instruments that exceeded the railway operator's luggage restrictions had been expelled from trains.

READ MORE: Face the music: MTR's stance on musical instruments a glitch compared with express rail link fiasco

"I hope things will become as artist-friendly as possible, and that's in line with what we do to encourage the city to be more artistic and provide more opportunities for young people," he said by phone from Tokyo.

"We often talk about nurturing creativity and cultural industries - this is a measure that could be conducive to artists."

The MTR Corp is reviewing its luggage regulations after a campaign by musicians in support of the expelled students turned into a protest early this month.

Results of the review are expected to be announced next week. Sources close to the review process said cellos would be allowed after owners registered them, but double basses and zithers would be banned.

"We hope to handle the registration of cellos in a simple way," said an MTR spokeswoman, adding that a total of 560 suggestions on ways to tackle the issue had been received from the public.