The MTR Corporation announced that it has completed the switch to a new signalling system on the Tsuen Wan Line on Sunday, with train services operating smoothly and as usual.
The first train departed on time at 6am. Cheris Lee Yuen-ling, deputy director of the operating and metro segment, said a few stations experienced expected glitches, including trains not stopping precisely at the designated position, requiring train captains to inch the carriages forward manually, and some platform screen doors requiring initial adjustments.
She said MTR has deployed nearly 200 extra staff—including operations personnel, the Tsing Yi Operations Control Centre team, and engineering staff—to assist at stations. She believes passengers should be largely unaffected.
Lee said the Tsuen Wan Line is operating on its regular Sunday timetable today. As for Monday (Mar 16) – the first weekday under the new signaling system – trains will follow the normal weekday schedule.
She noted that MTR conducted multiple simulation tests after service hours, including peak-period traffic simulations, and retained the old signalling system as a contingency.
She urged commuters to check MTR’s latest service information before leaving home tomorrow.
MTR noted that a fine-tuning period is expected and that the company will closely monitor operations and make necessary adjustments to ensure smooth execution.
The Tsuen Wan Line upgrade is part of MTR’s urban-line signalling replacement program, which also covers the Island, Kwun Tong and Tsueng Kwan O lines. The rail operator plans to upgrade one urban line per year, with the Island Line scheduled next year, and expects to complete the program by 2029.
