Proposed changes include lowering fine for abusive language from HK$5,000 to HK$2,000, exempting mobile phone ringtones from ban on playing music
RAYMOND.YEUNG@SCMP.COM
UPDATED : Thursday, 14 April, 2016, 2:06pm
A total of 2,643 prosecutions were made last year against by-law violations, up from 1,030 in 2014. Photo: Edward Wong
Instead of being fined HK$5,000, people who are caught swearing on railway premises will face a reduced penalty of HK$2,000, the MTR Corporation has suggested in a proposed review of its passenger regulations.
In a written submission to lawmakers on the Legislative Council’s Railways Subcommittee, the transport firm revealed plans to update other rules in the MTR by-laws to make sure they keep up with the times.
Under by-law 28H(1)(a), the use of “any threatening, abusive, obscene or offensive language” is prohibited, with offenders liable for a maximum fine of HK$5,000. To address concerns that the rule is too vague, it will now target only “abusive language which manifests itself as a disturbance to other passengers”.
However, MTR Corp rejected calls to exempt the use of expletives in private conversation, arguing it was unlikely passengers would be caught for such cases.
Other rules under review include a ban on playing music within MTR premises, which may attract a HK$2,000 fine, although noise created by mobile phone ringtones will now be exempt.
A rule prohibiting loitering – which currently carries a fine of HK$2,000 – will be repealed.
A total of 2,643 prosecutions were made last year against by-law violations, up from 1,030 in 2014.
The review, which began as early as 2009 after the railway merger, is expected to take another 12 months to complete.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1935927/loitering-ok-you-still-cant-swear-hong-kongs-mtr
