MTR Sha Tin to Central rail link: a time to count the costs and settle accounts

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The Hung Hom section of the MTR Sha Tin to Central rail link under construction in May, when news first surfaced of workers cutting corners. MTR Corp overhauled its top management team in August, with a flurry of resignations following the government’s demand for accountability. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 5:02pm, 10 Aug 2018Updated: 5:02pm, 10 Aug 2018

I refer to the article, “MTR to revamp top management as heads roll over rail link scandals” (August 7). I am disappointed at and furious with the MTR Corp’s poor performance in the HK$97.1 billion Sha Tin to Central Link project.

The intentions behind building the link were all noble: it aimed to relieve the commuter bottlenecks on the Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong and East Rail lines, by redistributing passenger flows and expanding the capacity of the existing railway system, and to assist the renewal and development plan of the To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City and Kai Tak areas.

But first came severe cost overruns, then allegations of poor project management and now all-out scandals flagged by subcontractor whistle-blowers and uncovered by the press. The project may ultimately become an international laughing stock.

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A “concession approach” was adopted for the link project, which means the expenditure for the whole project was to be borne by the government. As a result, the MTR Corp had no motivation to reduce costs. Furthermore, there is also the possibility that the quality of construction had been sacrificed because of yet another completion deadline approaching for the much-delayed project.

Although five members of the management team have resigned on the grounds of accountability, doubts remain, and in-depth investigations and policy reviews are required from the government to regain public confidence.

One option would be to replace the concession approach with the “ownership approach”, so that expenditure on future railway projects, such as the Tung Chung West extension and South Island Line (West), can be better controlled. An independent advisory committee, formed by experts in different fields, is also needed to monitor the progress and quality of construction.