Leave MTR Out Of Protests, Pleads Transport Chief

Transport Secretary Frank Chan has urged protesters not to target the city's railway network, after a morning that saw hours of disruption to two MTR lines.

Chan called on anti-government protesters to find other "more peaceful and rational" ways to express their views and to consider the needs of the five million people who use the MTR each day.

From around 7.30am, protesters stopped the doors of a train at Tiu Keng Leng Station from closing, forcing a suspension of services between there and Kwun Tong and a reduced service across the rest of the Kwun Tong Line. The disruption lasted for more than three hours.

At around 10am, protesters took similar action at North Point Station, affecting services on the Island Line for almost an hour and a half, and there was also disruption to the Tsuen Wan and Tseung Kwan O lines.

Chan said such behaviour causes great inconvenience to the public no matter whether it comes during peak hours or not.

He added that Chief Executive Carrie Lam has already responded to the demands of extradition bill protesters and her administration has always been listening to public opinion.

The protesters say none of their demands have been met, including the complete withdrawal of the extradition law bill and an inquiry into alleged police brutality during clashes at a protest on June 12.