Passenger fined HK$66 for staying over 2.5 hours in MTR station paid area

A passenger has to pay a HK$66 surcharge to the MTR Corporation as he failed to leave the station's paid area within 150 minutes, sparking debates among netizens.

The passenger shared on social media that he had been deep in conversation with friends at Tsing Yi Station last Saturday (Oct 19) and lost track of time, leading to the incurred surcharge.

According to the MTR By-laws, all journeys must be completed by leaving the paid area through the exit gate within 150 minutes of passing through the entry gate. 

A passenger without lawful authority or reasonable excuse and fails to leave the paid area within the period is liable to pay a surcharge equivalent to the maximum adult or concessionary fare for a single-direction journey.