Observation and Reflection from a Typhoon

The MTR Corporation was criticized for poor emergency management on 23rd after hundreds of passengers were stranded in trains overnight because of Typhoon Vicente destroyed Hong Kong.

The railway operator stopped commuter-loaded trains on the East Rail line after a tree fell on an overhead power cable near the Tai Po Market station, shortly after the Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 9Northeast Gale or Storm Signal.

In this case, hundreds of passengers had to linger around on trains or in station halls whole night. Commuters were dissatisfied that the MTR Corporation’s arrangements and they also criticized the rail operator for not arranging buses to take them to their destinations.

On the other hand, MTR Corp operation director Adi Lau Tin-shing said stopped train services in that time was to ensure commuters’ safety.

Lawmaker Andrew Cheng Kar-foo, chairman of the Legislative Council transport affairs panel, also criticized the MTR’s emergency plans were insufficient.

Taking into consideration from both sides of the arguments, I hold the view that the MTR’s staffs must to ensure the passengers’ safety. In severe weather, most of the public transport will stop service. If the MTR Corp arrange coaches or vans to take stranded passengers to their destination, there will be easy to cause the traffic accidents. Also, if the Hong Kong Observatory issue the No.8 or above, the insurance company will not to bear the responsibility for the traffic accidents. Therefore, I opine that the MTR Corporation’s decision was corrected.

Yet, many commuters felt angry that they need to stay whole night on trains or in stations hall. That is very normal. Nevertheless, that was an accident and no one would know a tree fell on an overhead power cable and the East Rail line need to stop service. Regarding of this, I hope the commuters not just put all the responsibilities to the MTR Corp.

Hope that that case will not occur again.