Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3034758/hong-kongs-scandal-hit-hk99-billion-sha-tin-central-rail
Hong Kong/ Transport

Hong Kong’s scandal-hit HK$99 billion Sha Tin-Central rail link could finally open next year

  • MTR Corporation to begin trial run on section of line between Tai Wai and Kai Tak on Monday
  • Rail operator has provisionally pencilled in first Sunday in 2020 for line to open to public
The Sha Tin-Central rail link is Hong Kong’s costliest and is expected to be fully open by the end of 2021. Photo: Bloomberg

The long-awaited partial opening of Hong Kong’s scandal-hit Sha Tin-Central rail link has been tentatively set for January 5 next year, with the embattled MTR Corporation expected to kick off its trial run on Monday, the Post has learned.

A source at the rail operator said the opening of the first part of the city’s most expensive rail project – a section from Tai Wai to Kai Tak – had been provisionally pencilled in for the first Sunday of 2020.

“The top management already passed this latest information to relevant staff,” the source said.

An MTR spokeswoman also confirmed a trial run for a section of the line between Tai Wai and Kai Tak would begin on Monday, but said its opening date had yet to be decided.

“The first phase is expected to open for traffic in the first quarter of next year. The actual opening date has not been confirmed yet,” she said.

The need to reinforce platforms at Hung Hom station added HK$2 billion to the cost of the project. Photo: Winson Wong
The need to reinforce platforms at Hung Hom station added HK$2 billion to the cost of the project. Photo: Winson Wong

The spokeswoman said the trial run would cover tests on the railway, delivery of train service and station facilities, while staff would also conduct drills.

In July the government announced the partial opening would be slated for the first quarter of next year after it approved two MTR reports over construction issues on Hung Hom platforms, and missing safety documents covering three locations at the station.

The project’s total cost will balloon to a record of at least HK$99.1 billion (US$12.6 billion) from HK$97.1 billion because of the extra cost for the partial opening and reinforcement work for Hung Hom station.

While the MTR Corp will provisionally pay for the HK$2 billion extra costs, it will work with the government for an overall settlement in relation to their respective funding obligations, as the rail giant has reserved its position as to the ultimate liability for such costs.

Before the scandals, the Tai Wai to Hung Hom section was expected to open in the middle of 2019, after an original target of December 2018 was pushed back by construction delays.

The government said they expected to open the section by the end of 2021. As for the opening of the entire link, that depends on a construction assessment at Admiralty and Exhibition Centre stations.

Hong Kong Federation of Railway Trade Unions vice-chairman Tam Kin-chiu said a trial run would usually last between 60 and 90 days.

“We hope the entire rail link could be opened as soon as possible so as to better serve the public and to ease congestion problems,” he said.