Problems stack up for Hong Kong MTR after link delays, three disruptions in one day
As the corporation's directors meet to discuss billion-dollar cost overruns on high-speed link, three routes are hit by delays in one day
The MTR was hit by service disruption on three lines in just one day yesterday, as corporation chiefs met behind closed doors to discuss bigger problems with the over-budget high-speed rail link to Guangzhou.
The rail problems hit services as the company's board of directors discussed an internal report on the latest cost and time frame for the already-delayed rail link. The line was supposed to open this year, but the opening has been pushed back to at least 2017.
At 7.35am yesterday, signalling faults were reported between the Kowloon Tong and Tai Wai stations, an MTR spokesman said. While the trains on the East Rail Line were still running, passengers needed to wait an extra 10 to 15 minutes for a train. Services started to return to normal about an hour later.
And when it appeared the commuter troubles had come to an end, mechanical problems were reported with an Airport Express train at around 12.45pm.
Passengers en route to AsiaWorld-Expo were told to get off at the airport station and the empty train continued to the Expo station for inspection.
Passengers had to wait 10 to 15 more minutes, until 1.25pm, for an Airport Express train.
Shortly afterwards, signalling faults were spotted near the Tung Chung station, causing disruption for almost an hour.