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Following is a question by the Dr Hon Raymond Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 1):
Question:
It is learnt that some entrances/exits of the Mass Transit Railway ("MTR") stations are not equipped with lifts or escalators connecting the concourse level, which cause considerable inconvenience to the elderly and particularly the physically handicapped. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it knows:
(a) the current number and percentage of MTR entrances/exits which are not equipped with lifts, stair lifts or escalators connecting the concourse level;
(b) the average monthly number of times the stair lifts were used by wheelchair users at MTR stations in each of the past two years; and
(c) if the MTR Corporation Limited has formulated any specific plan to improve the accessibility of the entrances/exits of MTR stations which are currently not equipped with lifts or escalators?
Reply:
President,
(a) In line with the Government's "Transport for All" policy, all MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) railway stations are provided with at least one barrier-free access, to facilitate those in need to move between the station platform and the ground level through the station concourse by making use of lifts, escalators or other ancillary facilities.
At present, MTRCL has 82 stations with a total of 462 entrances/exits. Of these entrances/exits, 164 (i.e. 35% of all entrances/exits) are either in at-grade station concourses or are connected with nearby shopping arcades/public footbridges at the same level through level walkways or ramps. There is hence no need for retrofitting of connecting facilities at these entrances/exits. Counting by types of facilities used to connect to station concourses, 53 entrances/exits (11.5% of all entrances/exits) are equipped with lifts; 13 entrances/exits (3%) are equipped with stair lifts; and 83 (18%) entrances/exits are equipped with escalators.
(b) According to MTRCL, they have not kept any record of usage of stair lifts.
(c) Due to geographical and space constraints and the need to ensure smooth pedestrian flow and evacuation, stations that have been constructed in earlier years have limited scope for retrofitting of facilities. Despite such difficulties, MTRCL has been actively exploring the feasibility of and putting in more resources to improve passenger traveling environment wherever practicable. These include retrofitting facilities such as lifts, stair lifts, wheelchair aids, ramps and wide ticket gates, to facilitate passengers in need to access MTR stations. In the last 10 years, MTRCL has spent $635 million and a further $200 million has been committed for the next five years on efforts in this regard including the retrofitting of lifts at four stations of the Tsuen Wan Line, namely, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordon, Yau Ma Tei and Sham Shui Po Stations, which is scheduled for completion by 2011.
MTRCL has also been in close liaison with organisations for people with disabilities, through half-yearly consultation meetings with them to learn their needs and suggestions on station facilities and their views on the practicality of new facilities. MTRCL will continue its efforts in this regard.
Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:12
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