TWO Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) projects due for completion next year will save millions of dollars a year and relieve pressure on the congested Nathan Road corridor. One project, Automatic Train Regulation (ATR), will result in more trains per hour during peak times along the Tsim Sha Tsui to Prince Edward stretch, increasing passenger capacity by 2,500 an hour to 80,000. By improving signalling and synchronisation, the capacity could be as high as 85,000 by May 1996. Another project, to refit rolling stock with new driving mechanisms, will increase energy efficiency by 25 per cent - saving about $43 million a year. So far, 200 of the 448 cars have been refitted within the normal maintenance programme with no disruption to timetables, according to rolling stock manager Jonathan Dring. MTRC project controller Oliver Fried said: ''The 25 per cent savings are the sole justification for this project and this will result in no additional funding requirements from passenger receipts.'' He said long-term benefits to the passenger would be greater efficiency, reliability and smoother journeys. The ATR works by a computer system regulating the speed of trains between stations to attain the optimum time-tabling efficiency. Last May, the system enabled extra trains to be scheduled along the Nathan Road corridor during peak times, taking the number to 31 per hour. With improved signalling and synchronisation, the company is hopeful of 34 trains per hour in 1996. But the company agreed that passengers had to play their part in creating a more efficient transport system. It is to hold a campaign next month to educate the public on the importance of standing on the right of escalators to reduce passenger congestion.
