The Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday the MTR Corporation has to enhance its contingency planning and responses in the wake of three service disruptions so far this year.

These include the more than five-hour suspension along the entire Tseung Kwan O line on Thursday that began with the evening rush hour.

Ahead of the Executive Council meeting, Lee said the stoppages show there are inadequacies in the operator's response and contingency planning.

"We have been focusing on rectification, in which we have systems to impose punishment on MTRC," he said.

"But I think it is more important to focus on prevention so that there will be [no more disruptions].

"And we should also focus on the responses when there are, unfortunately, such incidents."

Lee said he has requested the MTRC carry out a comprehensive and systemic review to enhance operations.

The subway operator, he said, also needs to strengthen its contingency capabilities and responses by conducting drills and setting up a team dedicated to coping with emergencies.

Lee went on to say the MTRC has to improve on its arrangements for alternative transport during service suspensions and come up with a timely information dissemination system.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau, Transport Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department have to lead and guide the operator in implementing its five-year plan in enhancing management and maintenance of its railway assets, he said.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau has told the railway giant to submit a report regarding last week's incident within a month.

There were two other disruptions in February and April.

The operator will offer HK$19.2 million in compensation to the public over the raft of incidents, as well as give commuters a day of half-price discounts on fares for last week's disruption.