2 Hong Kong MTR disruptions may be linked, expert says

Two rush-hour disruptions at Hong Kong’s MTR Lam Tin station within 15 hours could be connected if they involved the same power supply circuit or exposed procedural shortcomings, an engineering expert has said, with a lawmaker urging the rail operator to offer more targeted compensation to affected passengers.

The first disruption came on Tuesday evening, when an insulating rubber component in a track turnout caught fire, halting services for about an hour. The second struck on Wednesday morning, when wires overheated in an electrical room on the station platform, forcing trains to skip the stop for another hour.

The MTR Corporation vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incidents and was ordered to submit a report to the government within a month.

Edward Lo Wai-chau, former chairman of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers’ electrical division, told a radio programme on Thursday that it was premature to determine whether the two incidents were connected.

He noted that the MTR’s power supply system is divided into separate sections for the station and the track, and that the incidents could be linked if the components involved belonged to the same track circuit.

Lo added that even if there was no connection in the power supply circuit, procedural failures after the first incident might have contributed to the second and should be investigated.

“For example, after the first incident, they took certain actions, such as switching something off or on, and then forgot to reverse those steps,” he said. “There is no linkage in the circuit, but they forgot to reverse some changes in the procedures.”

“As a result, some part may have been operating for too long, causing it to overheat and smoke.”

Lo said the first incident, in which an insulating rubber component in a track turnout caught fire, might have been caused by foreign objects falling onto the track. He called on the MTR to step up inspections to once a month to ensure safety.

He also suggested the rail operator make greater use of technology, such as installing Internet of Things sensors, to gather more data and enhance track monitoring.

Lawmaker Bill Tang Ka-piu, speaking on the same programme, said that if the investigation found the two issues were connected, the MTR should treat them as one incident and count the disruption hours together.

Under the MTR Corp’s service performance rebate arrangement, the rail operator sets aside between HK$1 million and HK$40 million for each disruption lasting 31 minutes or more that is caused by factors within its control. The amount increases progressively with the length of the disruption.

It rises by 20 per cent if the disruption occurs during peak hours, from 8am to 9am and 6pm to 7pm on weekdays.

Tang also called for more targeted compensation for affected passengers, noting that both incidents occurred at the same station and affected a concentrated group of residents. Under the current mechanism, once the rebate fund reaches HK$25 million, the MTR returns it to all passengers as discounted fares on a designated Saturday or Sunday.

He also criticised the MTR’s contingency arrangements during service suspensions, saying many passengers were left unsure about what was happening and where to board shuttle buses.

Hundreds of commuters were stranded on packed platforms and concourses during the incident, with some complaining that they received little information from MTR staff.

Tang urged the MTR to improve communication with passengers and better coordinate with district councillors and care teams through regular drills.