Hong Kong MTR’s Sha Tin-Central rail project ‘faces fresh six-month delay’ over signalling fiasco
- Another lengthy hold-up expected as MTR Corporation sets up investigatory panel to probe signalling glitches and the response
- Rail operator issues apology for the last-minute postponement of the East Line upgrade
Hong Kong’s costliest railway project looks set to be delayed by up to six months following the aborted launch of a new signalling system, a fiasco to be investigated by a panel the embattled MTR Corporation established on Monday.
The inevitable setback for the scandal-hit Sha Tin-Central link came as the transport giant, in an abrupt change of tone, issued a belated public apology for Friday’s eleventh-hour postponement of the East Rail line upgrade.
“The corporation recognises the public’s concern over this matter and would like to apologise for the last-minute deferral of the introduction of the new signalling system,” it said in a statement on Sunday night.
Henry Cheung Nin-sang, chairman of the Association of Hong Kong Railway Transport Professionals, said another significant delay to the whole project was very likely given the time required to submit an investigative report and for follow-up works.
“The panel will take three months to conduct its investigation and recommend a solution, which may take another three months for rectifying the problems and a new trial run. I reckon the rail link will be delayed by another six months,” he said.
The Sha Tin-Central project has already racked up a price tag of HK$90.7 billion (US$11.7 billion), after suffering repeated delays and cost overruns.