Following is a question by the Hon Chong Ho-fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (March 25):
 
     It has been reported that when the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) updated the long-standing names of landmarks on individual signs at entrances/exits of the Kowloon Bay Station and Ho Man Tin Station in 2024 and 2025, this has aroused dissatisfaction among some local residents who have queried about the criteria adopted by MTRCL in changing the names on the signs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has enquired with MTRCL about the specific considerations of and criteria adopted by MTRCL when marking and updating the names on various types of signs at station entrances/exits; and
 
(2) whether it knows if MTRCL will communicate with relevant stakeholders and gather public views before updating the names on signs at station entrances/exits (such as deleting the existing names of landmarks) in the future; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Railway service is the backbone of Hong Kong's public transport system. There are more than five million passenger trips made on the MTR every day. The Government, through the Transport Department, closely monitors the MTR's services, including day-to-day train and station operations, to ensure that they are safe and reliable, and meet the required service level. In consultation with the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), my consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Chong Ho-fung is as follows:
 
     The MTRCL shall provide and maintain adequate directional signs in Chinese and English in every station, so as to provide the public and passengers with clear and concise information to help them identify the most appropriate exit for reaching their destination and making their journey more convenient. These signs include exit directory boards, ceiling-mounted lightbox signage, as well as guides and location maps in the stations.
 
     With the development of the community, evolvement of the surrounding environment of stations, together with the completion of new facilities and buildings, there may be changes in the operational needs of stations and passenger travel habits. The MTRCL has been continuously reviewing and updating station signage as necessary. Taking ceiling-mounted lightbox signage as an example, the MTRCL generally prioritises displaying the nearest building to the exit, while takes into consideration any commissioning of new prominent landmarks or public facilities and passenger usage patterns across different groups in making corresponding updates.
 
     The Government acknowledges that the MTRCL has been attentive to passengers' needs, and will continue to review the signage and information provided across the railway network to reflect development in the community around stations. The Government expects the MTRCL to maintain close communication with stakeholders proactively throughout the process to ensure the delivery of high-quality railway services to the public.

Ends/Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:52

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