Hong Kong’s rail giant has said it will not resort to its by-laws to compel commuters to stand still in two lines while travelling on escalators, rather than leave a path open for those who wish to pass in a hurry.

The MTR Corporation launched a campaign last week to persuade commuters to refrain from walking on escalators but the move triggered fierce debates online, with some questioning the efficiency and practicality of the initiative.

Cheris Lee Yuen-ling, the MTR’s chief of operating and metro segment, was asked on a radio programme on Monday whether the company would use its by-laws to handle “serious” situations of non-compliance.

“We hope that through continuous promotion and education efforts, passengers will gradually change their habits,” she said, ruling out the use of legal means to compel or penalise behaviour.

According to the MTR Corp’s by-laws, no one should “ascend or descend, or attempt to ascend or descend, by means of any escalator other than in such manner and order as is directed by the Corporation”.

Any violations of such improper operation of equipment would be subject to a maximum penalty of a HK$5,000 (US$643) fine and 6 months imprisonment.