Express Rail Passengers Drop To Half Amid Protest

The MTR Corporation has said about 31,000 passengers used the West Kowloon express rail terminus on Sunday - just half of the average passenger numbers normally seen.

This came as a huge crowd of protesters joined a march through the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui to the station campaigning against changes to the extradition law.

There was a heavy police presence at the West Kowloon Terminus, with large water-filled barriers surrounding the site.

The MTRC suspended ticket sales for high-speed rail services to and from the station from midday on Sunday, and most entrances and exits to the building were closed.

The rail firm said the operation of the terminus and ticket sales will resume as normal on Monday.

However, some entrances and exits at the station will remain closed.

In a statement, the government said the march to the West Kowloon express rail terminus was largely peaceful and rational.

A spokesman said various government departments and the MTR Corporation had worked together to minimise the impact of the march on passengers who had to use the station.

However, the government expressed regret over the protesters’ occupation of roads in Mong Kok after the march ended.

The spokesman said their standoff with police had blocked traffic, disrupted commercial activities and caused inconvenience to citizens.