MTR tweaks late-night Tsuen Wan Line trains after new signal system launch

The MTR Corporation said some late-night train arrivals on the Tsuen Wan Line may be slightly adjusted following the launch of its new signaling system, as the railway operator makes operational arrangements to support cross-line engineering work.

The new signaling system on the Tsuen Wan Line came into operation on Sunday, and Monday marked the first weekday rush hour after the system switch. MTR said additional operations and engineering staff were deployed along the line to monitor performance and provide support where necessary.

As of midday, train services were operating generally smoothly, according to the operator.

The railway firm said its teams are closely monitoring the new system and addressing expected adjustment issues during the early stages of operation. These include ensuring trains stop precisely in line with platform screen doors and fine-tuning the automatic speed control system during train movement.

Operational data is being continuously collected, and comprehensive inspections and adjustments will be carried out each night after train services end in order to minimize any impact on passengers, it said.

Meanwhile, the firm said due to several other major lines — including the Kwun Tong Line, Island Line and Tseung Kwan O Line — are still operating under the previous signaling system, maintenance trains that conduct overnight engineering work across different lines must switch between the new and old systems.

To facilitate this arrangement, the MTR said some late-night train services on the Tsuen Wan Line and Kwun Tong Line will be slightly adjusted.

Between 11pm and midnight each night, the arrival time of one to two trains may be moved forward or delayed by a few minutes compared with the usual schedule.

The operator said the arrangement is intended to create sufficient gaps in train operations to allow engineering vehicles to perform cross-line and cross-system transitions during maintenance work.

Despite the adjustments, the number of train services will remain unchanged, and the departure times of the last trains will not be affected, it added.