Extradition bill protesters cause rush hour chaos in Hong Kong as they block main MTR rail line in city
- Disruption at Admiralty station causes Island line services to be delayed as protesters block doors and press emergency buttons
- Group demanding accountability from MTR Corp over violence in Yuen Long station
Rush hour train services were disrupted and delayed in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning after anti-government protesters launched another campaign against rail operator the MTR Corporation.
At 8.20am, protesters prevented a Chai Wan-bound train from leaving Admiralty station by obstructing the doors. The service finally left 18 minutes late.
There were disputes among passengers, protesters and police, as crowds grew on platforms.
“Your family members are getting beaten, how do you still have the mood to work?” protesters said.
“Hongkongers love to work!” another remarked sarcastically.
This was the second time this week train services were disrupted.
Since Monday, protesters have demanded the MTR Corp be held accountable for failing to protect passengers during violent late-night attacks in Yuen Long on Sunday.
About 100 men carrying metal rods beat up citizens and passengers, leaving at least 45 people injured. Eleven suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the incident.
The protests at Admiralty caused North Point station, which serves as an interchange for the Tseung Kwan O and Island lines, to come to a standstill. Announcements made at the station advised travellers to find other modes of transport.
Just after 9am, no trains had arrived at either platform, both of which were filled with morning commuters.
Some travellers opted to leave the station, and the MTR Corp allowed Octopus card users to leave without paying. Outside the station long queues formed at tram and bus stops.
When our government doesn’t listen, we need non-cooperation actions like this
Kenneth Ng, an accountant, who lives in Yau Tang and works in Admiralty opted to take a bus to his office instead. He estimated it would add 30 minutes to his journey.
“It’s a bit of a hassle but I understand the protesters,” he said. “But my inconvenience is small in the grand scheme of things.
“When our government doesn’t listen, we need non-cooperation actions like this.”
Not everyone supported the protesters. Sunny Lai Tat, 40, a clerical officer, was taken aback by the disruption.
“I didn’t even know this was happening, there’s just too much information going on,” he said. “I’m a little unhappy because I was supposed to meet somebody at 9.30am, but now I’m going to be late.
“It’s affecting the public’s daily lives too much, so I suggest they shouldn’t do it at peak hours.”
By around 9.30am train services were gradually returning to normal in Admiralty and North Point.
As services resumed, the number of people waiting for buses and trams was significantly reduced.
Earlier, hundreds of people had queued up for trams and buses, with lines extending into the road at the intersection between Shu Kuk Street and King’s Road.
MTR operations director Adi Lau Tin-shing said 90 trains were delayed on Monday and 30 on Wednesday amid the emergence of a non-cooperative movement targeted at the rail operator.
Lau said on normal days, around four to five trains were delayed on average.
MTR Corp CEO Jacob Kam Chak-pui said the firm respected the people’s will to express their opinions and it had tried its best to ensure train services run normally.
“If they have any dissatisfaction, we will try to explain. When we have done something poorly, we will improve. We hope that dissatisfied residents will not obstruct the journeys of others.”
Two war rooms to manage train operations have been planned for Saturday, when another protest is expected to take place. More staff would also be deployed.
