MTR Slashes Services As Passengers Stay Home

The MTR Corporation says it is cutting off-peak services on three lines, suspending in-town check-in on the Airport Express and replacing trains to the closed Disneyland Resort with buses as passenger numbers slump.

The corporation said passenger traffic was down 40 per cent year on year in late March, with declines of 80 per cent on the route to the airport and the Disneyland Resort Line.

"The carrying capacity after the service-frequency adjustment will still meet current passenger demand without affecting travel comfort," the MTR said in a statement.

"At the same time, it will reduce unnecessary energy consumption. The corporation will continue to closely monitor the latest situation. Should patronage pick up later, the train service will be gradually adjusted to accommodate the passenger demand."

The corporation said on Saturday that from Good Friday onwards, services on the Tuen Ma and Tung Chung lines would run only every ten minutes in off-peaks hours and on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. For most passengers, this will lead to a delay of a minute or two.

The Airport Express will run only every half hour at off-peak times. As well as suspending in-town check-in, the MTR has put shuttle bus services to nearby hotels on hold.

The Disneyland Resort Line services will be replaced by shuttle buses. The MTR did not say how often they would run.