MTR staff in yellow uniforms at Sha Tin Station remove a man, carrying a martial arts pole (arrowed), and his grandson from the platform. Photos: internet, Apple Daily
EJ Insight » Hong KongToday, 16:11
MTR Corp.’s strict enforcement of its regulations on oversize luggage continues to provoke unhappiness among Hongkongers.
The latest no-no on a train is a long pole of the type used in martial arts, Apple Daily reported Thursday.
A reader surnamed Yeung told the newspaper MTR staff surrounded an elderly man and a child, believed to be his grandson, at the platform of Sha Tin Station at around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The grandpa was holding up a long pole wrapped in cloth, which likely belonged to the young boy, who was wearing a red kung fu T-shirt.
The man got furious, arguing that they used to take the MTR with the pole without having been stopped in the past.
However, MTR staff soon escorted the pair to the concourse.
An MTR representative said the pole was an oversized item, as its length exceeded 130 centimeters.
That’s why the MTR staff took action and encouraged the travelers to take alternative means of transport.
The commuter rail operator is under fire after it refused to allow passengers with musical instruments or a billiards cue on board.
By contrast, its staff are seldom seen stopping parallel traders with bulky goods and trolleys.
Under strong criticism from the public, the MTR announced Sept. 29 that it is accepting views from the public until Oct. 13 as it reviews its rules on the size of luggage permitted on trains.
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