MTR Corporation to cancel overnight train services during Hong Kong’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations over fears of protest violence
- Rail operator likely to extend service hours, rather than offering overnight trains, as it usually does four times a year during holidays
- Gatherings of large crowds during Mid-Autumn Festival have raised fears of repeat of violence that has shut stations in recent weeks
Hong Kong’s embattled rail operator will cancel overnight services during the Mid-Autumn Festival for the first time ever, citing safety concerns amid escalating protest violence targeting its metro stations, the Post has learned.
The MTR Corp management and government officials met on Wednesday afternoon to discuss providing alternative transport for commuters.
Sources said the MTR would offer to boost the frequency of trains beyond peak hours, also extending service hours instead of keeping them running throughout Friday night.
The unprecedented move, backed by the MTR’s staff union, is aimed at heading off large gatherings at stations by people carrying metallic ballons which could short-circuit power lines and traditional candlelit lanterns which could pose a fire hazard, given the risk of chaotic protest action.
“We urged the MTR management to cancel the overnight services on this occasion, which we think is a high-risk one,” said Tam Kin-chiu, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Railway Trade Unions, after meeting with operations director Adi Lau Tin-shing. “We can no longer afford to have key interchanges vandalised again.”