TNAG-1777-FCO40-2531-Public-transport-system-in-Hong-Kong-various-ordinances-1988 — Page 2

5

The Railway Inspector arrived in Hong Kong on 24 July 1988 and is currently engaged in the final inspection of the railway before the official opening of the LRT scheduled on 7 August 1988. He is examining, inter alia, the design and construction of the system including the tracks, stations stops, level crossings, fencing, overhead wiring as

as well as the operation of the system such as how the light rail vehicles (LRVs) are driven, the emergency arrangements and the training of duties. According to present programme, he is expected to complete his inspection by 30 July 1988.

Accidents

6

Since the beginning of the test runs of the LRVs in March 1988, a total of eleven accidents, including two derailments on the running line and seven road traffic accidents involving collision with other road vehicles, have been reported by the KCRC. A summary of the accidents is at Annex B.

7

In respect of the fatal accident which occurred on 25 July 1988, preliminary investigations by the Police suggested that a light rail vehicle had collided with a light goods vehicle at a signalized road junction at Ping Ha Road, Ping Shan junction (Junction Mj14). The light rail vehicle was travelling from Yuen Long to Tuen Mun when the collision occurred.

The light goods vehicle was carrying five passengers; members of the same family. An eight years old boy was killed. The mother, who sustained serious injuries, was currently being treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital. The father and two other children escaped with

minor injuries.

8

The series of incidents before yesterday have already attracted considerable public concern over

over the safety of the LRT and the manner in which it is being operated. The of the railway track is a subject of continued Similar concern was expressed by a LegCo Ad Hoc Group set up to examine LRT fares and operation.

openness

concern.

9

The latest incident will no doubt raise undue anxiety over the safety of the system and call into question the effectiveness of the integrated traffic signalling system in regulating traffic of the LRVs and other road users at road junctions. As an immediate measure, the KCRC has been asked to cease all test run of the LRVS pending thorough testing of the integrated traffic signalling system at Mj14.