Prince Edward Station crowded as part of Kwun Tong line closes

The train service between Prince Edward and Ho Man Tin stations on the MTR Kwun Tong Line is suspended on Sunday for cable works, with passengers divided on the arrangements but understanding why they had to do it.

Under the arrangement today, passengers can use the Tsuen Wan Line to go to Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei stations and the Tuen Ma Line to go to Ho Man Tin.

At Prince Edward Station, the number of passengers was significantly higher compared to usual holidays.

Some passengers said that extra staffing was deployed at the station to respond to inquiries and believed the arrangement was appropriate.

They added that they understood that MTR had less time to carry out maintenance during weekday operating hours, and it was inevitable to use non-peak days to carry out the work.

Some mainland tourists pointed out that MTR staff proactively gave directions for transfers and they did not feel confused.

At Mong Kok Station and Yau Ma Tei Station, MTR staff held large signboards to remind passengers of transfer arrangements.

Some passengers said that their travel was hampered; they had to ask staff several times for transfer arrangements, and they could not estimate the transportation time.

Passengers who took the shuttle bus in Yau Ma Tei said that the MTR had good arrangements and clear instructions, but it caused inconvenience for the elderly who had to get on and off the MTR station to transfer.

The MTR Corporation stated that the operations today were relatively smooth and stated that they have deployed over 1,000 staff members at the relevant MTR stations and bus stops to provide instructions, along with adding over 2,500 passenger information boards and signs at the relevant stations.

The rail giant also reminded passengers that if the route they are taking tonight is different than usual, especially the passengers heading towards Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations by transferring to the East Rail Line, to reserve an additional 20 to 30 minutes to ensure they can take to the last train.

The MTR Corporation pointed out that Prince Edward Station is the only interchange station between the Tsuen Wan Line and the Kwun Tong Line, and it was expected that Prince Edward Station would be very busy and they would implement crowd management measures in light of the expected increase of passenger flow in the afternoon.

In addition, the MTR Corporation today cooperated with KMB to provide free Route 8 and Route 30X service at designated bus stops between Yau Ma Tei, Ho Man Tin, and Whampoa.

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