【明報專訊】The MTR's Tuen Ma Line (TML) has operated smoothly in general since its full opening. The most bizarre part throughout has been the arrangement of ''higher fares for shorter travels'' on some sections of the line. However, neither the MTR nor the government has shown any visible eagerness to solve this problem. As the biggest shareholder in the MTR company, the government has its public transport policy slanted towards the rail operator, while the MTR has always put the interests of small shareholders first when making decisions. ''Higher fares for shorter travels'' on some sections of the TML are a result of lower fares on the East Rail Line (ERL) than the West Rail Line (WRL) fares. The MTR company, shielded by the Fare Adjustment Mechanism (FAM) (i.e. the mechanism that provides for upward and downward fare adjustments), has ruled out the possibility of a major fare reduction. Instead, it has opted for giving seven or eight years for the ERL to increase fares gradually so as to narrow the fare disparity. This is pure business logic rather than giving priority to social responsibility. Next year the government will review the FAM with the rail operator, and it must be determined to demand the MTR shoulder more social responsibility and reform the FAM boldly.