Possible morning delays on Hong Kong MTR as tests begin
Tests relate to planned upgrade work on several lines over the next decade
The MTR Corporation has warned of possible ongoing delays to the first trains of the day due to a long period of tests to be conducted over the next decade for upgrading the signalling systems of seven railway lines.
“It is possible that it will affect the first rail trains at the beginning of the train services. So we need contingency plans,” MTR operations director Adi Lau Tin-shing said.
He admitted the tests might cause delays and disruption to train services as testing engineers would need to switch back to the existing system once tests for the day were completed.
Dr Jacob Kam Chak-pui, MTR managing director for operations and mainland business, appealed for public understanding as the installation of new train-mounted signalling equipment would start in June for the Tsuen Wan Line, to be completed by 2018.
As part of a sweeping overhaul of its signalling system, the rail operator will replace the systems on seven MTR lines starting with Tsuen Wan. The aim is to boost overall capacity by 10 per cent when the systems commence operation from 2018 to 2026.
The system on the East Rail Line is also being upgraded as part of the Shatin to Central Link project.