CAUTION: Hong Kong MTR Shutdown May Affect Your Travels


ShekouDaily   |   October 6, 2019

Yesterday, the Shenzhen Port Office official WeChat Account, announced that due to the temporary shutdown of the MTR East Rail Line and other lines yesterday, normal operations at the Luohu and Wenjindu would be affected. They advised passengers who needed to travel to Hong Kong to choose other ports.  Reporters from China’s Southern Metropolitan Newspaper found that various land ports in Shenzhen and Hong Kong were still operational; however, due to the suspension of services by the MTR, traffic connections at Luohu and Futian ports have been greatly affected. They advised passengers to choose ports like Shenzhen Bay Port and Huanggang Port where busses are available.

The MTR announced yesterday that it would not provide services, including the heavy rail (the Airport Express), the LRT and the MTR bus, after the assessment with the Police and other relevant departments.Guangjiu train destroyed by masked mobs in Fanling, Hong KongAt least 19 shopping malls; such as Sha Tin, New Century Plaza, Olympian City, and Mong Kok MOKO also closed for the day. Some banks suspended their services, and the theme parks have delayed their opening hours. Some Hong Kong residents complained that many of the damaged traffic facilities included lifts that are the only choice for many disabled people.

The authorities reminded foreign tourists to reserve sufficient time to go to the airport.

Guangzhou-Bound Train Destroyed at Fanling Station in Hong Kong

On the evening of October 4, a Z810 train from Hong Kong Hung Hom to Guangzhou East Station was attacked by masked demonstrators at Fanling Station in Hong Kong, causing the train to be delayed more than an hour. The demonstrators smashed the train glass windows. When the train left the platform, they also pushed bicycles and other items onto the track.

On October 5th, China Railway Guangzhou Bureau Group Co., Ltd. issued a notice that 8 trains between Hong Kong and Guangzhou East were temporarily suspended.

Hong Kong’s MTR Hit Hard

As of October 4, a total of 83 MTR stations and 42 light rail stations were damaged. The damage included 860 access gates, 500 ticket sales and value-added machines, 400 Octopus processors, 700 CCTVs, 12 lifts, and 10 entrances and exits. Even the unopened Shazhong Line Songhuangtai Station was damaged.

Demonstrators have used heavy-duty petrol bombs to render lifts completely inoperable at Yau Ma Tei Station, Sham Shui Po Station. and Huang Da Station.

The MTR announced yesterday that it would not provide services, including the heavy rail (the Airport Express), the LRT and the MTR bus, after the assessment with the Police and other relevant departments.Guangjiu train destroyed by masked mobs in Fanling, Hong KongAt least 19 shopping malls; such as Sha Tin, New Century Plaza, Olympian City, and Mong Kok MOKO also closed for the day. Some banks suspended their services, and the theme parks have delayed their opening hours. Some Hong Kong residents complained that many of the damaged traffic facilities included lifts that are the only choice for many disabled people.

The authorities reminded foreign tourists to reserve sufficient time to go to the airport.

Guangzhou-Bound Train Destroyed at Fanling Station in Hong Kong

On the evening of October 4, a Z810 train from Hong Kong Hung Hom to Guangzhou East Station was attacked by masked demonstrators at Fanling Station in Hong Kong, causing the train to be delayed more than an hour. The demonstrators smashed the train glass windows. When the train left the platform, they also pushed bicycles and other items onto the track.

On October 5th, China Railway Guangzhou Bureau Group Co., Ltd. issued a notice that 8 trains between Hong Kong and Guangzhou East were temporarily suspended.

Hong Kong’s MTR Hit Hard

As of October 4, a total of 83 MTR stations and 42 light rail stations were damaged. The damage included 860 access gates, 500 ticket sales and value-added machines, 400 Octopus processors, 700 CCTVs, 12 lifts, and 10 entrances and exits. Even the unopened Shazhong Line Songhuangtai Station was damaged.

Demonstrators have used heavy-duty petrol bombs to render lifts completely inoperable at Yau Ma Tei Station, Sham Shui Po Station. and Huang Da Station.

Yesterday, in an effort to curb the violence, Chief Executive Carrie Lam invoked emergency powers to establish a new Anti-Mask Ordinance, making it illegal, and punishable by one year imprisonment and a fine of 25,000 Hong Kong dollars, to wear a mask while taking part in a regulated public assembly or procession, including illegal assemblies or unauthorised assemblies. 

Contact Numbers/Resources

If you need to travel to or from Hong Kong, here are some useful phone numbers and websites to check for updates: 

  • Hong Kong MTR: www.mtr.com.hk +852 2881 8888
  • Hong Kong International Airport: www.hongkongairport.com/en/ +852 2181 8888 
  • Shenzhen Luohu Port: (0755) 8232 4022

Until the MTR services return to normal, using the Huanggang Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, or the Shekou Ferry may be the safer options. Click here for Shekou Ferry schedules and resources.Sources: