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Written by: Chen Jingqi
2020-08-28 16:45
Last update date: 2020-08-28 18:56Under the Sha-Central Line project, in order to cope with the east rail line's extension across the sea, MTR originally planned to complete the replacement of the new signal system in the middle of this year, and gradually replace the current 12-car trains with 9-car trains, with 37 sets of "mixed running" All trains are put into operation. However, at the end of May this year, the MTR had three accidents when testing the new signal system during non-traveling hours, which delayed the commissioning of 9 new cars. MTR submitted a report to the authorities this month, confirming that the three incidents were independent incidents and had nothing to do with system safety.
Huang Kunwei, the chief of train operations of the MTR, announced today (28th) that the new signal system of the East Rail Line and the new 9-car train will be put into service on September 12th (Saturday). On that day, 6 trains of 9 trucks will be added for operation. And depending on the change of passenger volume, the schedule will be encrypted in time. Huang added that in the first few months of the new arrangement, a 12-car train service to Kowloon will still be arranged during the morning peak hours to ensure smooth passenger flow and train service.
The new 9-car train on the East Rail Line will be officially put into service on September 12. (Provided by MTR)
Mr. Leung Chi-li, Chief Executive of the MTR Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today gave an account of the latest progress of the Sha-Central Line. He pointed out that the progress of the entire Tuen Ma Line, namely the "Tai Wai-Hung Hom Section", reached 99.95%; the cross-harbour section of the "Hung Hom to Admiralty Section" reached 99.95%. 86.9%. Leung said that the full opening date of the Tuen Ma Line remains in the third quarter of 2021, but described the cross-harbour opening goal as "challenging." Because it involves a large number of engineering test drills and needs to be conducted during non-driving hours at night, it will strive to maintain 2022. Open to traffic in the first quarter of the year.
Liang Zhili continued to point out that in order to cope with the extension of the East Rail Line across the sea, the East Rail Line will gradually be replaced from the current 12-carriage trains to the new 9-carriage trains. It is expected to take 18 months. During the transition period, both new and old trains will run simultaneously. Huang Kunwei, the chief operating officer of MTR train operations, pointed out that the new signal system of the East Rail Line has completed the required drill tests and obtained approval from the relevant government departments, so it will be officially put into service on Saturday, September 12.
There will be blue and green signs on the platforms of the East Rail Line to remind passengers of waiting positions. (Provided by MTR)
For the "mixed running" of old and new trains, according to the MTR website, there are currently 12 trains that can carry 3,750 passengers to and from Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau to Hung Hom during the morning peak hours, every 2.5 minutes, one-way track every hour The passenger capacity is 86,000. However, MTR has repeatedly been asked about the introduction of new 9-car trains, and its passenger capacity changes and increased schedules have not responded. Huang Kunwei continues to reiterate that the current schedule can adequately cope with passenger volume, and depending on the changes in passenger volume, the frequency and train services will be strengthened in a timely manner to meet passenger demand; and with the opening of the first phase of the Tuen Ma Line in February this year, it will help to divert the traffic from Tai Wai Passengers in Kowloon Tong expect the full opening of the Tuen Ma Line to traffic, which will have a more significant diversion effect on the East Rail Line.
Huang also pointed out that the new trains may have running-in problems and need to be fine-tuned, reminding passengers to allow sufficient time for travel, and also called to pay attention to station broadcast displays, MTR Mobile App and news information to learn about the latest train arrangements. Huang added that he understands that it will take time to adapt to the new boarding and alighting arrangements, so additional station staff will be deployed to assist passengers.
MTR announced in April this year that it is expected to complete the replacement of the new signal system on the East Rail line by the middle of this year. By then, the current 12-car train will be replaced with a 9-car train. It is expected that the final replacement of 37 trains will take about 1.5 years. (Profile picture)
During the non-travel time testing of the new signal system on the MTR East Rail Line on May 23 and 25, three consecutive incidents occurred. MTR submitted a report to the government on the 17th of this month, stating that the three accidents were caused by human factors or operating procedures. They were a train "lighting" accident from May 22 to 23, and the captain used manual driving in the incident. Mode, at a speed not exceeding 11 kilometers per hour, drive towards Sheung Shui Station instead of towards Luohu Station according to the test plan, and after passing the red signal, stop in front of the next signal; the second accident is for traffic The display system of the control center has a short-term failure to real-time signal.
The third incident occurred from late night on May 24 to early morning on May 25 when the computer for the interlocking system in the control area between Fo Tan/Racing Farm and University Station was shut down.
Liang Zhili has repeatedly emphasized that the above three incidents are independent incidents and have nothing to do with system safety. There was no equipment damage or personal injury in the incident, and the report has been accepted by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, saying that the new signal system is completely free of problems. At the same time, it is pointed out that MTR has implemented a systematic measure to enhance the awareness of relevant employees and contractors of the new East Rail Line system and to improve the adoption procedures of the new system.
Encourage all employees to test
As for the launch of the National Testing Program on September 1, MTR stated that it would encourage colleagues to voluntarily participate in the National Testing Program. Thousands of people from the Transportation Department have already been tested by the Transport Department.
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Three accidents occurred during the test of the new signal system on the East Rail Line at the end of May Chen Fan: Absolutely not ideal
Three accidents occurred during the test of the new signal system in the cross-harbour section of the East Rail Line
MTR expects that the station facilities will be substantially completed this year, and the East Rail Line will be equipped with automatic platform gates
MTR claims that East Rail’s new signal system incident involved human actions and operating procedures caused no sanctions
Sha-Central Line, Transport and Housing Bureau, MTR Electrical and Mechanical Services Department