The MTR Corporation announced today that, in preparation for extending the East Rail Line across the harbor to Admiralty Station, new nine-car trains and signaling system will be in service starting on September 12.
The new nine-car trains are made by Hyundai Rotem Company in South Korea.
Their train bodies are about 12 cm wider than the existing 12-car trains and would narrow the platform gap, an MTR spokesman said.
New trains feature electronic dynamic route maps, gangway-end displays, and double branched handrails.
Commuters can expect to ride on a mix of new nine-car and existing 12-car trains from September 12.
The existing East Rail Line trains will gradually be replaced by 37 sets of new trains over the coming 18 months.
“The new signaling system and trains at the East Rail Line have completed all necessary testing and drills,” Head of E&M Construction of MTR Corporation, Leung Chi-lap, said.
“Teething problems and minor adjustments are expected in the initial stage, we appeal to passengers to exercise understanding and patience,” Chief of Operating of MTR Corporation, Sammy Wong Kwan-wai, said.
MTR expects the Hung Hom to Admiralty section to be open in the first quarter of 2022, it can shorten the 18 minutes journey time between Hung Hom and Admiralty to five minutes. -Photos: MTR
