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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 3):

Question:

It has been reported that the number of accidents involving passengers falling onto the rail track has reduced markedly since the retrofitting of screen doors at MTR stations by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it knows:

(a) the number of accidents involving MTR passengers falling onto the rail track and the casualties involved in the past year;

(b) the respective numbers and names of the stations where screen doors have been and have not yet been retrofitted;

(c) whether MTRCL has formulated a detailed retrofitting plan for the stations where screen doors have not yet been retrofitted; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(d) whether the reasons stated in (c) include technical problems; if so, whether the authorities have assessed if such technical problems are real; if assessment has been made, of the results, as well as the measures in place to ensure that MTRCL can retrofit screen doors at all stations?

Reply:

Madam President,

The number of accidents involving MTR passengers falling onto the rail track and the casualties involved in the past year are summarized below:

2004 (Up to 30 September 2004)

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Causes Death Injury Unhurt

Trespassing onto Track 0 0 7

Suicide 3 0 0

Attempted Suicide 0 2 1

Falling from Platform 0 7 4

Accidentally

Total 3 9 12 24

For the station platforms along the Airport Express Line, Tseung Kwan O Line and Tung Chung Line, platform screen doors had been installed during the construction stage. As regards the other railway lines, MTRCL launched the "MTR Platform Screen Door Retrofit Programme" in 1999 with a view to providing passengers with a more comfortable travelling environment and reducing energy consumption. The project covers 30 underground stations on the Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan and Island Lines and is expected to complete by 2006.

At present, platform screen doors have been retrofitted at the following 20 stations:

Island Line

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1. Sheung Wan

2. Central

3. Admiralty

4. Wan Chai

5. Causeway Bay

6. North Point

Tsuen Wan Line

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7. Tsim Sha Tsui

8. Jordan

9. Yau Ma Tei

10. Mong Kok

11. Prince Edward

12. Sham Shui Po

13. Cheung Sha Wan

14. Lai Chi Kok

15. Mei Foo

16. Tai Wo Hau

Kwun Tong Line

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17. Shek Kip Mei

18. Kowloon Tong

19. Lok Fu

20. Wong Tai Sin

Platform screen doors will be retrofitted at the following 10 stations by 2006:

1. Tin Hau

2. Tai Koo

3. Sai Wan Ho

4. Diamond Hill

5. Lam Tin

6. Fortress Hill

7. Quarry Bay

8. Shau Kei Wan

9. Choi Hung

10. Lai King

For the remaining eight at-grade/overhead stations (Tseun Wan, Kwai Hing, Kwai Fong, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Heng Fa Chuen and Chai Wan), retrofitting of platform screen doors involves major alterations to the stations and tunnel ventilation, air-conditioning and smoke extract systems. Since such at-grade/overhead stations are not designed with air-conditioning and ventilation systems, retrofitting works are subject to technical constraints.

MTR Corporation Limited is fully engaged in retrofitting platform screen doors at all underground stations. Upon their completion, the Corporation will consider retrofitting platform screen doors at the remaining stations.

Ends/Wednesday, November 3, 2004

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