***********************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 22) :
Question:
Currently, many of the entrances/exits of Mass Transit Railway ("MTR") stations which are on the ground level are connected with the next lower level or the station concourse by staircases only. As there are no escalators leading directly to ground level, elderly people and frail persons are much inconvenienced when they use these entrances/exits. Concerning the entrances/exits on the ground level, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it knows:
(i) why the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) did not install escalators leading directly to each of the entrances/exits when it constructed its stations;
(ii) the entrances/exits without escalators leading directly to them (please list out the MTR stations where they are located and their identification numbers), the number of such entrances/exits and its percentage in the total number of entrances/exits;
(iii) if the entrances/exits which were completed in recent years all have escalators leading directly to them; and
(iv) the number of requests received in the past five years by MTRCL for retrofitting escalators leading directly to certain entrances/exits; and
(b) it has requested MTRCL to review the above-mentioned situation and consider retrofitting escalators leading directly to all entrances/exits (except those where the installation of escalators is not feasible due to technical problems such as insufficient space available); if so, of the response from MTRCL, including whether MTRCL has come up with details of and timetable for installation plans; if MTRCL has rejected the request, its justifications for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) (i) According to the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), it is not feasible to install escalators leading directly to the ground level at all the entrances/exits of MTR stations due to geographical and structural constraints of the stations. In fact, installation of escalators at certain entrances/exits of MTR stations will reduce the widths of sidewalks causing inconvenience to pedestrians; and underground utilities such as high voltage electric cables, gas mains and truck sewers may also be affected. In considering whether escalators connecting MTR stations with the ground level should be installed, MTRCL will also take into account requirements for smooth passenger flow in the stations, project priorities, fire service legislation, safety standards and evacuation etc.
(ii) Around 30% (32.58% - 101 in number) of the 310 entrances/exits in the existing 53 MTR stations, the concourses are either directly connected with the sidewalks on the ground level or connected with nearby shopping arcades/public footbridges at the same level. About 10% of the entrances/exits (8.71% - 27 in number) are installed with escalators leading directly to the station concourses at a different level. Over 30% of the entrances/exits (36.45% - 113 in number) are connected with station concourses at a different level by a combination of escalators and staircases while around 20% (22.26% - 69 in number) are connected with station concourses by staircases only. The entrances/exits of MTR stations which do not have escalators leading directly to the ground level at present are set out at the Annex.
(iii) While it is not possible to install escalators leading directly to the ground level at every entrance/exit of MTR stations, including those completed in recent years, MTRCL has designated one barrier free access in every station, including the new ones, to enable those in need to access the stations more conveniently. They can make use of lifts, escalators or other ancillary facilities to move between the station platform and the ground level through the concourse. In fact, in order to enhance its railway services, MTRCL has invested over $400 million in the last decade to improve and retrofit station facilities, including retrofitting passenger lifts at stations. MTRCL has committed another $100 million on its station improvement programme in the next five years. The programme includes installation of lifts at the Lai Chi Kok, Tai Wo Hau, Sham Shui Po and Admiralty Stations to facilitate passengers to travel between station concourses and platforms.
(iv) In the past five years (from 2002 up to October 2006), MTRCL has received 97 cases concerning comments received from passengers on various aspects relating to escalators, including the operation of the escalators and their speed, as well as requests for more escalators etc. MTRCL does not have a breakdown on requests for installing escalators leading directly to the ground level.
(b) In regard to the entrances/exits of MTR stations, the focus of Government's monitoring is to ensure the safe operation of the railway system, including evacuation when incidents occur; and that the design of the entrances/exits of stations could provide smooth arrangements for passengers. Whether the MTRCL can install escalators leading directly to the ground level at each entrance/exit of MTR stations falls within its operation ambit and has been explained above. Government will continue to encourage transport operators, including MTRCL, to widen and deepen the breadth of "Transport for All", such that station facilities are appropriately enhanced for passengers, especially the elderly and those in need, to use MTR service conveniently.
Ends/Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 13:05
NNNN
