MTR Corporation has announced a half-price “Thank You Day” on Sunday, 13 July, as part of its Service Performance Rebate mechanism, following a service disruption on the Tseung Kwan O Line on 22 May. The disruption, caused by a power and signaling system failure, halted services for over five hours, incurring a HK$19.2 million penalty, which, combined with prior accumulated fines, totals HK$25 million.
On 13 July, passengers using Octopus cards or QR code tickets on MTR’s heavy rail network, light rail, and Northwest New Territories MTR bus routes will enjoy a 50% fare discount, including cross-border journeys to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau on the East Rail Line. This discount can be combined with interchange concessions, special station offers, and a 25% discount on Monthly Pass connecting journeys. Additional staff will be deployed at stations to assist passengers, with close monitoring of train operations and adjustments as needed.
Additionally, MTR will offer a free local ride to Tseung Kwan O Line passengers who used their Octopus card at stations along the line between 18 May and 15 June. Eligible passengers must download the MTR Mobile app, register as members, and link their Octopus card by 15 June. The free ride will be credited to their MTR Mobile accounts by 20 June. To assist with registration, MTR will set up information booths at Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Hang Hau, and North Point stations from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on 6–8 June and 13–15 June.
The 22 May incident, occurring during evening rush hour, caused significant inconvenience, with commuters at North Point’s former Sunbeam Theatre bus stop crowding onto fully packed cross-harbour buses. Police were present to maintain order.
Legislator Michael Tien Puk-sun, a former Kowloon-Canton Railway chairman, criticized the choice of a Sunday for the half-price day, noting that the disruption affected weekday evening commuters. He suggested a week-long 20% discount across all days until the HK$19.2 million is exhausted, arguing it would benefit more passengers without overloading the rail network. Tien praised MTR’s decision to fund the free Tseung Kwan O Line rides separately, estimated at HK$5–6 million, calling it a rare and sincere gesture not drawn from the penalty fund.
MTR emphasized its commitment to monitoring services and enhancing contingency measures to prevent future disruptions, as highlighted by Chief Executive John Lee, who stressed the importance of prevention mechanisms given MTR’s daily ridership of 5 million.