There were some minor delays on Hong Kong’s train service this morning after anti-government demonstrators sought to disrupt transportation services during rush hour.
Messages circulating on Telegram urged protesters to disrupt train services from 7am to 12pm today at Lai King, North Point, and Kowloon Tong stations. The three stations are key interchanges between the Island, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O, Kwun Tong, East Rail, and Tung Chung lines.
According to news alerts issued by the MTR after 8am this morning, journey times on the Kwun Tong line could take 10 to 15 minutes longer because of passengers blocking train doors and requesting assistance. Journey times on the Tsuen Wan line, meanwhile, would take five to eight minutes longer.
There was a noticeably beefed-up police presence at North Point and Kowloon Tong MTR stations this morning, prompting protesters to head to other stations like Lok Fu, Prince Edward, and Lai Chi Kok.
So far this morning at North Point: riot police, several ppl giving the police words of encouragement, a man yelling “LIBERATE HK, REVOLUTION OF OUR TIMES” & running off to the laughter of the police, & 2 women getting into a spat after one heckled the police. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/ENgnxLcpgh
— Laurel Chor (@laurelchor) September 2, 2019
Meanwhile, riot police are stationed at MTR station(s) early this morning, ”for regular patrol” they told me – after they check my press pass. I was merely taking these pictures at the Kowloon Tong station.#HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/idYgzTZW8h
— Frances Sit (@frances_sit) September 2, 2019
In an RTHK live feed, police were seen running through Lok Fu MTR station and using their batons to beat protesters who had been blocking the train doors.
At least two protesters were detained and taken away from the station.
It’s not clear how many people are taking part in this morning’s protest, which comes ahead of a citywide boycott of classes as students go back to school.
The MTR has been at the receiving end of public anger from Hongkongers during the extradition bill protests, and this is not the first time the public transport system has been targeted.
On July 24, protesters started blocking train doors at Admiralty station to protest what they characterized as the MTR’s inadequate response to violent clashes in Yuen Long on July 21.
While most of the anger over that incident was directed at police for taking more than 30 minutes to respond to calls for help, some protesters also argued that the MTR was at fault for not doing enough to protect passengers. A second, similar protest happened on July 30.
Public anger against the MTR — which is 75 percent-owned by the Hong Kong government — continues this week after the corporation announced in August that it would shut stations immediately, and without notice, in the event of any violence or vandalism.
The decision came after Chinese state media accused the MTR Corporation of being “an accomplice to rioters” by claiming the train operator provided free rides to pro-democracy protesters to allow them to escape from police.
