On the morning of March 22, 2025, a crane truck caused significant disruptions to the light rail services in Tin Shui Wai by damaging overhead cables at Tin Wing Station. The incident occurred at approximately 7:04 AM when the crane truck snagged the cables while passing near the station, leading to immediate suspension of services along several lines.
MTR authorities reported that as a result of the damage, Light Rail lines 705 and 706 would not stop at both Tin Wing Station and Tin Heng Station. Additionally, line 751 was also affected, not stopping between Chung Fu Station and Tin Yau Station. To assist affected passengers, MTR has arranged free shuttle buses to each station along routes 705 and 706.
The crane truck driver was arrested following the event as investigations into the incident were underway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, but it led to the evacuation of around 80 passengers from the nearby stations. MTR confirmed that their technicians were on-site repairing the damage, and they expected the repairs to take several hours to complete.
With the main routes impacted, residents and commuters took to alternate forms of transportation. One passenger expressed his frustration, stating, “I had planned to take the light rail to Tin Shui Wai for work, but now I have to find a taxi or take a bus. There were plenty of taxis around once I saw the disruption.”
As authorities worked on restoring service, they advised passengers to consider using other transportation options and to allow extra time for their journeys. The accident impacted services not only at Tin Wing Station but also at nearby stations, including Tin Yau, Tin Heng, and Wetland Park Station. The local roadways, including Tin Wah Road and Tin Tsz Road, were also obstructed due to the incident, complicating the transportation situation further.
In the wake of these service disruptions, legislative measures are also under discussion. Lau Kwok-fan, a Legislative Councillor, along with representatives from animal welfare organizations, met with MTR officials to discuss potential policies regarding pet carriages on trains. Lau proposed that pets should be required to have monthly tickets and be placed in carriers, allowing animals weighing no more than 20 kg on board. He mentioned that measures should be in place to ensure pets do not disturb other passengers.
“The key is to ensure that pets do not inconvenience other travellers,” Lau stated. Representatives from the animal welfare groups suggested implementing penalties for owners who violate the transport rules, which could include revoking permission for pets to board trains after repeated offenses.
Currently, MTR is conducting research on the feasibility of this policy, weighing the operational safety and comfort for all passengers. Lau expressed hopes that a pilot program could be launched within the year, although no specific timeline was provided during the meeting. These developments come at a time when public transport systems are increasingly being called upon to balance services for pet owners with the comfort of other customers.
The crane truck incident stands as a reminder of the complexities involved in urban transport systems, as unforeseen events can lead to significant commuter disruptions. MTR continues to work on solutions to improve reliability and safety while exploring innovative ideas to better serve the diverse needs of the community.
As the city manages the aftermath of this incident, MTR officials are committed to restoring service as soon as possible, keeping the public informed every step of the way. According to authorities, any updates on service resumption and ongoing operations will be communicated to ensure commuters can plan their journeys effectively.
