Hong Kong’s rail operator is implementing a thorough review of its infrastructure, including all overhead lines and signalling systems.As a proactive measure following recent disruptions, the company is also evaluating the possibility of providing complimentary cross-harbour shuttle bus service should service suspensions occur.
The MTR Corporation announced an eight-point plan on Friday, built within its existing HK$65 billion (US$8.3 billion) five-year asset and maintenance upgrade program initiated in 2023.
This action comes after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu urged the transport provider last month to address shortcomings in its emergency response protocols and contingency strategies. The call for improvement followed three service interruptions within a four-month timeframe.Two separate incidents involved stalled engineering trains on the East Rail line. Additionally, a power fault caused a five-hour suspension of services on the Tseung Kwan O line last month.
Transport minister Mable Chan affirmed the government’s ongoing oversight and guidance to the MTR Corp, emphasizing the importance of learning from past incidents and bolstering its ability to anticipate and mitigate risks.
“The MTR Corp needs to prioritize identifying and resolving potential problems before they impact service, improve the safety of its rail network, and expedite the adoption of advanced technologies for predictive maintenance, ultimately strengthening the system’s reliability,” Chan stated.
She also stressed the need for management to value input from frontline employees and foster a stronger culture of responsibility throughout all levels of the institution.
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