LCQ15: Light Rail capacity sufficient to meet passenger demand

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Following is a question by Hon Tam Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Nicholas Ng, in the Legislative Council today (October 31):

Question : Many members of the public have complained to me about the grossly insufficient number of runs of Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains during peak hours which results in serious overcrowding in train compartments and on platforms and a higher risk of accidents. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of:

Reply :

Madam President,

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) has currently eight routes serving Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai areas. The frequency and ridership for each route are shown below:

Of the 57 LRT stops, 49 are served by more than one route. The actual frequency of LRT train service during peak hours is therefore much greater than the frequency for each individual route. For example, at the busy Town Centre stop in Tuen Mun and Tai Tong Road stop in Yuen Long, there is, on average, an LRT train arriving every 1.5 minutes.

Each LRT train compartment has an average capacity of about 210 passengers. According to the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC)'s passenger loading survey conducted in September this year, the peak period for LRT service is from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. During these busy hours, similar to other modes of public transport, LRT experiences a short period of greatest demand and the train compartments are relatively crowded. Average loading of trains at busy sections of LRT routes during peak hours is around 60 per cent to 90 per cent. At the busiest section (i.e. Tin Yiu stop in Tin Shui Wai towards Tuen Mun), the average loading of each LRT train amounts to 92 per cent. In general, the capacity of LRT is sufficient to meet passenger demand.

LRT is continuously improving its service in response to the population growth in North West New Territories and keen competition from other transport modes. Additional LRT trains are arranged on busy routes during peak hours and special runs are provided when necessary. According to the KCRC Ordinance, the Corporation should provide efficient, economic and safe services in consideration of Hong Kong's public transport demand. The Transport Bureau and the Transport Department monitor LRT service closely. We also discuss with KCRC the overall development of LRT service, including increase of train frequency as necessary to ensure that passenger demand is adequately met.

KCRC has taken adequate measures to ensure passenger safety on LRT platforms. Each platform is marked with yellow lines to instruct passengers to keep clear of the platform edge. Queuing lines are provided and announcements are made to remind passengers to keep in order while waiting and let other passengers alight first. These measures are very effective in reducing conflicting movements and maintaining smooth flow of passengers. During peak hours, KCRC deploys additional staff at busy platforms to maintain order and assist passengers in boarding and alighting. In addition, KCRC often organizes safety campaigns to enhance passengers?safety knowledge. According to information provided by the Corporation, there was no accident involving passenger falling onto LRT tracks from overcrowded platforms in the past five years. Besides, KCRC has completed extension works at 29 busy LRT platforms between 1998 and 2000 to enlarge the waiting area and facilitate passenger movement. The Corporation will keep in view the usage of platforms and, if necessary, plan for more extension projects to provide a better environment for passengers using LRT service.

End/Wednesday, October 31, 2001

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