LCQ10: Nuisance behaviour of passengers on public transport
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Question:
It has been reported that in recent years, some uncivic-minded passengers have frequently engaged in discourteous behaviour on public transport. This includes playing videos or music loudly on mobile phones inside the carriage, making phone calls, and even placing their feet on seats, causing hygiene issues and nuisance. Numerous cities in the Mainland, as well as Japan, Singapore and London in the United Kingdom, have effectively curbed malpractices such as noise in passenger compartments and placing feet on seats through legal regulation, clear penalties, technological assistance or long-term publicity campaigns. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of complaints received in each of the past three years by the Transport Department, the Environmental Protection Department and public transport operators concerning "noise nuisance" on public transport (such as the use of electronic devices with audio played through loudspeakers) and "improper or unhygienic behaviour" (including placing feet or shoes on seats and other discourteous conduct); whether the authorities have conducted any studies to assess the impact of such behaviour on the quality of public transport services and passengers' travelling experience;
(2) whether the authorities will make reference to overseas experience and amend the relevant legislation in Hong Kong to expressly designate "playing audio from electronic devices through loudspeakers" and "placing feet or shoes on seats" as acts of contravention, and introduce streamlined enforcement procedures as well as review and increase the existing penalties for causing nuisance on public transport; and
(3) whether the authorities will study, in collaboration with the MTR Corporation Limited and various bus operators, the introduction of pilot "quiet zones/compartments", and draw on overseas publicity strategies by installing additional warning signs in train compartments and at platforms, as well as making regular reminder announcements, with a view to promoting a culture of courteous travel?
Reply:
President,
The Government has been closely monitoring the service of public transport and working closely with the public transport operators (operators) to promote the message, through measures such as publicity and education, that passengers should be considerate and maintain mutual respect towards other passengers when using public transport services. In consultation with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), our reply to the questions raised by the Hon Chong is as follows:
(1) The number of complaints received annually in the past three years by the Transport Department (TD) and the EPD regarding "noise nuisance" (e.g. excessive volume of electronic devices) and "improper or unhygienic behaviour" (e.g. stepping on seats) on public transport is set out in the Annex. The operators do not maintain statistics on complaints categorised by individual types of behaviour.
(2) At present, the legislation of various public transport services (e.g. the Mass Transit Railway By-laws (Cap. 556B), the Public Bus Services Regulations (Cap. 230A) and the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D)) contains provisions regulating improper passenger conduct with corresponding penalties. Each franchised bus operator has drawn up Passenger Notices stipulating that passengers are refrained from playing mobile devices loudly or placing their feet on seats. The operators also remind passengers of the regulations through on-board announcements and signage.
The operators have also put in place guidelines to assist frontline staff members in handling situations relating to passenger conduct in an appropriate manner based on the actual circumstances, such as offering verbal advice and taking follow-up actions, as well as referring to law enforcement authorities when necessary. As for the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), its staff, in the course of their routine inspections, will give reminders and take appropriate follow-up actions if passengers were found to have breached the rules.
In addition, the TD has been collaborating with and encouraging operators to promote through publicity and educational activities the importance of passenger safety, consideration for others and respect for other passengers when using public transport services. The MTRCL also organises annual courtesy campaign to remind passengers not to affect or cause nuisance to others.
(3) At present, there are quiet cars designated on all MTR heavy rail trains equipped with in-train televisions, where televisions are muted so as to provide passengers with a relatively quiet travelling environment. As for High Speed Rail, the Vibrant Express trains operated by the MTRCL have designated Quiet Cars where in-train announcements are broadcast at a lower volume and the in-train televisions are muted. Furthermore, passengers in Quiet Cars of the High Speed Rail are required to set their mobile phones to silent and wear headphones when using electronic devices. Passengers on the phone are required to move to either end of the compartment. When considering the introduction of "quiet zones/compartments", operators need to prudently consider their mode of operation, operational arrangements such as space and design of compartment as well as the impact on overall carrying capacity in order to strike a proper balance. The Government will continue to keep in view passenger behaviour on public transport and collaborate with operators to promote travelling etiquette through various means, with a view to fostering a comfortable and harmonious travelling environment.
Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:42
Issued at HKT 11:42
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