Transport minister Mable Chan on Thursday said she is deeply concerned about the Tseung Kwan O Line service disruption and urged the MTR to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

In a blog, Chan said the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department immediately sent staff to assist the MTR, adding she will require the railway giant to submit a report.

The Transport Department is working with bus operators to provide additional public transport, including enhanced services on 10 cross-harbour bus routes, three KMB routes, and two Citybus routes.

Ferry services have also been boosted, with Fortune Ferry operating additional services between Kwun Tong and North Point after 8pm, and Sun Ferry extending their last sailings between North Point, Hung Hom, and Kowloon City to after 8pm.

Lawmaker Gary Zhang, a former engineer at the railway corporation, said the incident is far more complicated than just a power supply failure.

Speaking to reporters at North Point Station, he said such an incident by itself would not lead to a service suspension for the entire Tseung Kwan O line.

“According to my knowledge, a power supply failure would affect a section of the railway line, there should be other problems leading to this situation, but the MTR maintenance team is also trying hard to identify the root cause,” Zhang said.

He hoped the train company would quickly announce the latest developments so residents can understand the full situation.

Zhang pointed out that the MTR had followed its protocol in providing alternative bus services.

“From the protocol agreed by the Transport Department and the MTR, free shuttle bus will not be provided for cross-harbour services since the traffic has already been quite busy and congested even during normal hours. If the MTR suddenly adds tens of additional coaches, the cross-harbour traffic will become even worse,” he said.

He said that the incident will trigger the railway operator’s punishment system, and that the MTR will need to take responsibility for having the disruption occur at peak hours.