Hong Kong travel in recovery mode as MTR stations remain closed and traffic lights broken from violent backlash against mask ban by radical protesters

Several MTR stations still closed on Tuesday with whole network to shut down early again

Roads affected by vandalised traffic lights as city’s transport staff scramble to repair extensive damage from protests

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Commuters return to work on Tuesday to long queues at Tiu Keng Leng station, while 13 railway stations were closed and broken traffic lights caused gridlock on some roads. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 1:14pm, 8 Oct 2019Updated: 11:09pm, 8 Oct 2019

Hong Kong’s transport network was picking up the pieces on Tuesday from a long weekend of violent protests fuelled by hatred of the anti-mask law, with 11 metro stations closed and dozens of vandalised traffic lights still under repair.

More MTR services returned after four straight days of major rail disruption due to widespread vandalism, but parts of the network were still down, while some motorists experienced heavy traffic on the streets.

Commuters living in Tseung Kwan O faced major traffic jams lasting beyond the morning rush hour after three railway stations were shut along the line serving the district. Po Lam station reopened shortly before noon on a morning which started with 13 stations closed.

Anti-government protesters vandalise MTR facilities at Sha Tin Wai station on Monday. Photo: Sam Tsang

The Transport Department’s assistant commissioner Tony Yau Kwok-ting said the congestion was caused by suspended train services and damage to traffic lights on the roads.

Yau said up to 250 traffic lights across the city had suffered damage and 75 sets were still not fixed, as of Tuesday morning, which marked the start of the working week after the Chung Yeung Festival on Monday.

The department called on motorists to drive with high levels of care and patience, and encouraged pedestrians to use footbridges and subways.