Safety first: The KCRC is reviewing how it might retrofit automatic gates at East Rail and Ma On Shan Rail platforms.

Passenger safety is the priority in railway operations, Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao says, adding it is technically feasible to retrofit automatic gates at East Rail and Ma On Shan Rail platforms.

However, the potential safety problem caused by the relatively wide gap between platforms and trains at some East Rail stations with curved platforms must be resolved first.

Dr Liao told legislators today there were 56 incidents involving passengers falling onto the East Rail tracks last year, in which four people died and seven were injured. Among them, 45 cases involved trespassing, five fell from the platform accidentally, and six attempted suicide.

There were six such incidents on the Light Rail, with three hurt. Five of them were accidental falls from the platform and one was an attempted suicide.

The KCRC explained that factors including the distance between stations, the ambient environment of the railway sections and operation safety have been taken into account in determining the East Rail trains' speed.

The East Rail trains' speed in entering stations is safe and comparable to the design of other overseas railways. Lowering the speed would prolong the journey time and have an impact on rail-service efficiency.

Dr Liao said arrangements and facilities have been implemented at platforms to ensure passenger safety, adding the KCRC will expedite its efforts to review the retrofitting of platform gates.