‘Unacceptable’ for ads to affect train safety: expert

Transport expert Hung Wing-tat says it’s totally unacceptable to have loose parts from an advertising panel affect the safety of a train, and suggested that a switch to digital advertising could avoid problems in future.

Hung was commenting on RTHK’s Hong Kong Today programme on Friday, after rush hour chaos struck Hong Kong Island on Thursday when doors came off an MTR train at Causeway Bay station. Investigators said it seemed loose parts from an advertising panel had come into contact with the doors, leading to the problem.

“I’m really surprised that there would be loose parts on that panel that would affect the safety of the train,” Hung told RTHK’s Janice Wong. “It is totally unacceptable.”

Hung said one solution would be to replace the panels completely.

“They should change these panels to digital-type panels, so you don’t need to actually open or close it to stick posters on,” he said. “A lot of these notice boards and things, even the government ones, the gantry traffic notices, you just have a digital design and display, just like a sort-of monitor on the wall.

“So there would not be any of those loose parts.”

There were no reports of injuries in the incident, which happened at about 6pm, but it did force the closure of the stretch of the Island Line between Wan Chai and Quarry Bay for about three hours.

Frustrated commuters faced long waits for the free, replacement shuttle buses, as well as other forms of transport such as trams and taxis.