Equipment fault on engineer's train prompts disruption on East Rail Line

Passengers are urged to use alternative public transportation options, the Transportation Department said, as East Rail Line service was disrupted due to an equipment fault on an engineer’s train near Tai Wo MTR station on Wednesday morning.

The MTR Corporation announced at 5:21 am that adjustments to the East Rail Line train service were necessary, requiring all passengers to use Platform 1 at Tai Wo Station.

As a result of the disruption, services between Sheung Shui and Lok Ma Chau stations are now operating at 24-minute intervals, while services between Tai Po Market and Lo Wu stations are at 16-minute intervals.

Also, services between Admiralty and Fo Tan stations have been adjusted to four to eight-minute intervals, with eight-minute intervals for routes between Fo Tan and Tai Po Market stations.

The rail operator also indicated that passengers should expect longer waiting times during the morning peak traffic, urging them to consider using alternative MTR lines or other transport options. 

The Transportation Department has instructed MTRC to expedite repairs on the equipment fault and has encouraged the public to utilize other transportation methods, such as buses.

“Sizeable numbers of passengers are on the platforms of the East Rail Line, leading to long wait times,” the department said. 

In response, franchised bus operators have enhanced services, including route 270A and 978 run by Kowloon Motor Bus and route 79 run by Citybus.

Lawmaker Gary Zhang Xinyu has raised concerns about a potential derailment of the engineer’s train at Tai Wo station.

Zhang, a former MTR engineer, said on his Facebook page that the engineer’s train typically operates at night and should have vacated the main tracks before the start of morning services. 

“The problem remaining unresolved by rush hour implies recovery efforts lasting over three hours, which is unlikely for mere mechanical failure; a derailment is probable,” he said.

At Tai Wo station, passengers crowded onto Platform 1, while the other platform was closed due to limited operations. 

One female passenger fell ill in the throng and was seen being transported to the hospital on a stretcher.

A secondary student surnamed Chong, who traveled from Sheung Shui to Tai Wo, expressed frustration, saying she was already 15 minutes late for class, which was scheduled to begin at 9 am. 

“The train stopped for five to six minutes, with repeated announcements indicating a service disruption,” Chong said.

At Tai Wai station, some passengers only learned of the disruptions upon arrival. 

One citizen heading to Sheung Shui said that despite leaving home 10 minutes earlier, he chose to wait. 

Another traveler en route to Lok Ma Chau indicated he waited for 25 minutes without any trains to his destination, opting instead to take a train to Lo Wu to make a transfer. 

“I think the waiting time is reasonable under the circumstances,” he said.

In response to media enquiries, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said it is "deeply concerned" by the incident.

"The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has requested MTR Corp to conduct a thorough check and submit a investigation report within a month to explain the cause and measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again," the bureau added.

(Updated at 8.50pm)

(Ayra Wang)