MTR debuts 'Let's ride with care' interactive courtesy drive

MTR Corporation has collaborated with Cheil Hong Kong to launch its courtesy campaign this year, introducing an interactive initiative that invites passengers to record their own station announcements to promote good commuting etiquette.

The annual campaign is guided by an extensive survey of over 1,000 commuters, which revealed that "letting passengers exit before boarding" remains the top commuting priority for the second consecutive year, followed closely by "lowering volume".

MTR’s tracking data shows that over 80% of surveyed passengers find these campaigns effective in reminding them to yield seats and reduce mobile phone audio levels.

To keep pace with changing passenger habits, the campaign's focus has adapted over time - moving away from legacy issues like reading spread-out newspapers to addressing modern distractions, such as loud smartphone videos and voice messages in crowded carriages. Targeting mass passengers, the campaign seeks to promote courteous behaviour on trains to highlight how everyday kindness makes everyone's journey more enjoyable.

The campaign has featured local actor Cheng Tse-sing (鄭子誠), who, according to MTR, brings a unique blend of timeless authority and modern internet popularity. With his smooth and comforting voice as a late night radio host on Music Lover (音樂情人), contrasted against his viral and instantly recognisable screen persona, he holds a rare status in Hong Kong media. He is a trusted household name who commands massive social engagement across both Gen Z and millennial demographics

This year’s messaging centres on six core behaviours: letting passengers exit before boarding, moving inside train compartments, offering seats to those in need, lowering voice and device volume, refraining from leaning on handrails, and giving lift priority to passengers with special needs.

Marking a first for the operator, MTR is introducing "Courtesy broadcast station" across select major stations over three consecutive weekends starting 7 August 2026. Commuters can record etiquette announcements in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English for a chance to win limited-edition MTR souvenirs.

The initiative will kick off at Admiralty Station on 7 and 8 August, moving to Sha Tin Station on 14 and 15 August, and concluding at Tseung Kwan O Station on 21 and 22 August, running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. A judging panel will select the 25 most creative and compelling recordings to be broadcast live across station networks, with winning contributors receiving grand prizes.

The campaign is further backed by veteran voice actor and artist Timothy Cheng Tsz-sing, who stars in a promotional video demonstrating polite announcements using both his signature "Music lover" radio voice and a playful "Gen Z tone". Cheng’s series of courtesy announcements is currently airing across MTR stations to encourage mutual consideration on public transit.

Back in July, MTR launched a fresh public safety push that aims to make escalator rides safer for everyone. Prompted by internal data revealing that elderly passengers account for nearly half of all affected individuals in escalator mishaps, the campaign departs from traditional cautionary messaging. Instead, it adopts an innovative, intergenerational approach designed to engage commuters of all ages.

Also known as "JUST stand firm" (則仕企定), the campaign features veteran actor Kent Cheng (鄭則仕) as its spokesperson. The tagline is a wordplay on his name "則仕," which phonetically resembles the English word "just," giving the campaign title a fitting bilingual twist.

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