23
LRT traffic accidents
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Samuel Wong and replied by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Reply:
Is the Government aware of:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Mr President,
the total number of traffic accidents involving Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains, and the number of persons who have sustained serious injuries or died as a result of such accidents, since the commencement of the LRT service in 1988;
the total estimated cost of the losses arising from damage caused to locomotives and carriages of LRT trains in the above traffic accidents; and
whether the Government and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation have taken steps to prevent the occurrence of accidents at level crossings, and whether consideration has been given to reducing the number of such crossings?
Since the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system commenced operation in September 1988, there have been 187 accidents involving Light Rail Vehicles (LRV). These accidents resulted in 376 casualties, including passengers of other vehicles. All together 23 persons were killed, 84 persons were seriously injured and 269 persons sustained slight injuries.
A total of $3 million has been spent on repairs and maintenance arising from these accidents. In July 1994, a container lorry collided with a LRV, resulting in substantial damage to the LRV. Subsequently the LRV had to be written off at its original cost of $7.5 million. Part of the expenses incurred have been recovered from insurance or damages claimed from the other parties involved in the accidents.