Hong Kong MTR to replace faulty cables that led to August delay on Kwun Tong Line

Disruption was ‘unforeseen’ and switch was not made earlier because of ‘complications and risks’, source says

Reading Time:2 minutes

An MTR delay at Choi Hung station along the Kwun Tong Line causes massive crowds. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 8:43pm, 19 Oct 2017Updated: 2:56pm, 20 Oct 2017

Up to 3km of data cables operated by Hong Kong’s rail giant would be replaced this month following a serious system malfunction that led to service disruptions and commuter chaos in August, a source within the company said on Thursday.

On August 5, the MTR faced major delays on the Kwun Tong Line because water had infiltrated a network of 28-year-old copper cables, causing corrosion and damage, according to an investigative report submitted to the government. The faulty data links resulted in a signalling problem and triggered a shutdown of operations as a safety measure.

The faulty cables are expected to be replaced by fibre optics.

Signalling fault forces delays in services on Hong Kong Kwun Tong MTR line

According to the report by an executive panel, typhoons and heavy rainfall had exacerbated the problem. The review raised three major suggestions including the replacement of cables to be completed by this month.

The source said MTR Corporation had accepted the recommendations, but he did not reveal whether any personnel would be held responsible for the incident.

“It was a rare and unforeseen situation,” he said.