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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 22) :
Question:
Many members of the public have complained to me that it is rather hot and even stifling on station platforms and in the train compartments of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) in winter. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it knows whether heating systems are activated in winter to raise the air temperature on station platforms and in train compartments of the two railway corporations, and how the temperature is adjusted to a suitable level in response to the passenger volume so as to avoid causing discomfort to the passengers;
(b) whether it knows the respective average air temperatures on MTR station platforms in summer and winter; whether the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) monitors such temperatures; if not, of the reasons for that; and
(c) as the authorities indicated in March 2003 that the two railway corporations were working with EPD on formulating a Practice Note for managing air quality in air-conditioned public transport facilities, whether the Practice Note includes a suitable level of air temperature; if so, of the latest progress in this respect; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
In winter, the preset temperature for enclosed station platforms of all railway lines of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) is 26 degrees Celsius, while that for train compartments is 22 to 23 degrees Celsius. For the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), the preset temperature in winter for enclosed station platforms is 27 degrees Celsius, while that for train compartments is 26 degrees Celsius.
Automatic sensors are installed in the air-conditioning system of the two Corporations to monitor the temperature in station platforms and inside train compartments, such that the actual temperature will not deviate from the preset temperature. In case the temperature in station platforms/inside train compartments is too high and exceeds the preset temperature, the air-conditioning system will activate its cooling function. In addition, fresh air is drawn into the station platforms and train compartments through the ventilation system to ensure airflow.
According to the Operating Agreement signed between the Government and MTRCL, the Corporation is required to monitor the environmental conditions (including temperature) throughout the enclosed areas of the railway and provide adequate ventilation facilities. In fact, to maintain the respective average temperature of station platforms and train compartments at 27 and 26 degrees Celsius or below is MTRCL's preset temperature in both summer and winter. This is also one of the items stipulated in the Corporation's pledge for service. According to MTRCL's figures, the Corporation's performance in 2004 as regards average temperature maintained in station platforms and train compartments was 99.3% and 99.9%respectively.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) commissioned the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2000 to study the air quality in air-conditioned public transport facilities. The study found that the air quality inside air-conditioned public transport facilities in Hong Kong does not pose any alarm of health risk to the users. Based on the findings of the study and after consultation with the two railway companies and professional bodies, EPD issued in November 2003 a set of professional practice notes for managing air quality in air-conditioned railway facilities. The practice notes set out a carbon dioxide standard and provide guidelines on the design, operation and maintenance of the air-conditioned railway facilities, with an objective to encourage railway companies to achieve and maintain a comfortable air quality for passengers. It also recommends a comfortable temperature range for passengers so that railway companies could adjust the temperature range according to the preference of their passengers. Since there is no alarm of health risk to users due to air quality inside air-conditioned public transport facilities in Hong Kong, the practice notes are not monitored by EPD but implemented through the relevant professionals of the two railway Corporations on a self-regulatory basis.
Ends/Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:16
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