XN000022-1996-08-16 — Page 4

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Report on MTRC incidents published

The report of the independent investigation conducted by the Deputy Chief Inspecting Officer of the United Kingdom Railway Inspectorate, Mr Alan Cooksey, was released by the Government today (Friday).

Mr Cooksey was in Hong Kong at the request of the Government to look into the Mass Transit Railway Corporation's (MTRC) recent train disruptions including the incident of a rail crack on July 25. He had also reviewed MTRC's maintenance programme and assessed the system's reliability and safety.

The acting Secretary for Transport, Mr Paul Leung, said he welcomed the findings and recommendations made by Mr Cooksey.

Mr Leung said he had forwarded a copy of the report to the MTRC Chairman and requested his response as soon as possible.

Mr Leung was pleased to note the railway expert's opinion that the MTR system was efficient and safe.

He acknowledged, however, that it was reasonable for commuters to expect the best possible service from any public transport operator.

In this regard, he was confident MTRC would take on board the railway expert's recommendations with a view to providing an even safer and a more reliable and efficient train service.

In his report, Mr Cooksey recommends, inter alia, that MTRC should:

(a)

respond to incidents as expeditiously as possible through improved procedures;

(b)

improve the ventilation system and passenger information and assistance provisions;

(c)

develop a separate and less disruptive system to the existing Passenger Alarm Plunger to cater for passengers taken ill;

(d)

continue to re-assess and revise their maintenance arrangements in the light of experience and technical developments;