Complaints of nuisance behaviour on Hong Kong public transport hit 3-year high

Complaints about noisy and inconsiderate passengers on Hong Kong’s public transport have more than doubled over three years, with authorities recording a surge in reports of people playing loud music and putting their feet on seats.

The Transport Department and Environmental Protection Department received 66 complaints about noise nuisance and improper or unhygienic behaviour in 2025, up from 31 in 2023, according to figures released by the government on Wednesday.

“[Passengers] should be considerate and maintain mutual respect towards other passengers when using public transport services,” Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said in a written reply to lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung.

Noise complaints, including those involving passengers playing audio at high volume on electronic devices, rose from 10 in 2023 to 11 in 2024, and then to 24 last year.

Complaints about improper or unhygienic conduct, such as placing feet on seats, also doubled from 21 in 2023 to 42 last year, with 33 recorded in 2024.

Chong had asked whether the government would consider explicitly outlawing playing audio through loudspeakers and placing feet on seats, as well as increasing penalties for nuisance behaviour.

He also cited measures adopted in mainland Chinese cities, Japan, Singapore and London to curb such behaviour, and suggested installing more warning signs and making regular reminder announcements.

Chan said existing legislation governing the MTR, franchised buses and other public transport services already contained provisions regulating improper passenger conduct, with corresponding penalties.

“The operators have also put in place guidelines to assist frontline staff members in handling situations relating to passenger conduct in an appropriate manner based on the actual circumstances,” she said.

These included verbal advice, follow-up action and referrals to law enforcement authorities when necessary.

The government did not directly address whether it would introduce new offences or increase penalties.

On proposals to introduce quiet compartments, Chan said all MTR heavy rail trains equipped with televisions already had designated quiet cars, where the screens were muted.

High-speed rail services also had quiet cars, where passengers were required to silence their phones, use headphones and move to either end of the compartment when making calls.

“When considering the introduction of ‘quiet zones [or] compartments’, operators need to prudently consider their mode of operation, operational arrangements such as space and design of the compartment as well as the impact on overall carrying capacity in order to strike a proper balance,” she said.

The government would continue working with operators to promote considerate behaviour through publicity and education, she added.