Multimillion-dollar revamp to give MTR stations a bright new look

Millions of dollars will be spent on a renovation project to refit all or part of each of the 84 MTR stations - starting with Jordan station, where a new design and features will be unveiled in January.

Stylish seats and resting ledges will replace the traditional cold metal seats on the platforms, while artwork will be installed for passengers' appreciation.

The box-shaped customer service centre will take on a space-age design, with new LCD monitors to relate ticketing and routing information. Panels that separate passengers from staff will be lowered. Monitors will be installed close to turnstiles to provide real-time train information.

The changes at Jordan will cost HK$2 million, so if all 84 stations had similar renovations, the cost could be more than HK$160 million.

MTR chief of operations Morris Cheung Siu-wah said the changes were aimed at adding warmth and green elements to the stations, which are used by an average 3.6 million commuters every day.

'In the past, designs highlighted the cool, efficient aspects of rail transport, but today's generation wants environmentally friendly, lifestyle-oriented stations,' he said.

Power-saving lighting and natural materials are being used in the renovation, but it is not known how much energy or money will be saved by the scheme, because more monitors are being installed.

Similar work will be done along the Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan lines subject to public opinion on the Jordan refit. The corporation spends about HK$1.6 billion a year on repairs, maintenance and station renovation.

Last year, HK$78 million was spent at several stations, including Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan, to improve access for handicapped passengers. Under that scheme, the A1 exit of the Tsim Sha Tsui station in Nathan Road is being turned into a glass box to allow sunlight to get through.