Stations to shut earlier on Saturday amid Tung Chung line extension race

Rachael Ng

MTR Corp has announced that train services between Tung Chung and Sunny Bay stations will conclude two hours earlier on Saturday to facilitate the construction of an extension on the Tung Chung line.

The last train departing from Tung Chung station for Hong Kong station will leave at 11.01 pm, while the final train heading from Hong Kong for Tung Chung will depart at 11.07 pm.

If adverse weather conditions arise as a result of the projected arrival of tropical cyclone Trami within 800 kilometers of Hong Kong on Thursday, the special arrangements will be postponed for a week to November 2.

After the Tung Chung line ceases operations on that day, free shuttle buses will operate every three to nine minutes, with an estimated travel time of 20 to 30 minutes between Tung Chung and Sunny Bay, depending on circumstances.

The shuttle pick-up and drop-off points will be located at the parking lot at exit A of Tung Chung station and the public transport interchange at exit A of Sunny Bay station.

The last bus departing from Tung Chung station for Sunny Bay station will leave at 12.43 am, while the last bus in the opposite direction will depart at 1.18 am.

The MTRC's head of airport segment, Ben Lui Gon-yee, advised passengers planning to take the shuttle bus from Tung Chung station to Sunny Bay station and transfer to Hong Kong station should do so before 12.18 am, to ensure they will be able to board the last train.

About 100 MTR staff members will be available to assist passengers that night, with special signage placed at both stations.

Lui stressed the importance of monitoring weather conditions, including precipitation and wind speed, to assess any safety risks for the engineering team.

"We will prioritize the safety of our team and keep a close watch on the situation. If we determine that the work cannot proceed as scheduled, we will notify passengers through various channels as soon as possible," he added.

MTR Corp has announced plans to build a new Tung Chung East station between Tung Chung station and Sunny Bay station, along with a new 1.2-kilometer track connecting the current line to the new station.

The project involves the installation of four switches, with one scheduled for this Saturday and the remaining three scheduled for completion over the next three years.