At present, only stations along the East Rail Line in the MTR's local heavy rail network have not yet installed platform screen doors or gates. MTR referred to "equipment installation" as early as about 10 years ago, but it has not been seen for many years.
With the opening of the sea-crossing section of the East Rail Line in mid-May this year, the MTR finally made new progress in installing gates.
The MTR said today (19th) that it will adjust the parking positions of 11 stations and a total of 25 platforms from the first quarter of 2023. The platforms will be more straight, and most of them will be moved south by one or two trucks. The distance is in line with the platform layout, which not only facilitates passengers to get on and off to different carriages, but also reduces the platform gap, which is a key pre-work for the installation of platform gates.
According to the MTR, it is expected to take the lead in installing gates at Racecourse Station and Tai Po Market Station in mid-2023.
In order to indicate the parking location, the MTR will gradually update the queue signs on the Eastern Line platforms from this month. The stand will be put up with a new sign on Thursday (22nd).
▼MTR introduces the operation of the East Rail Line crossing the sea and the progress of the new round of upgrading works▼
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MTR has previously stated that it has completed the platform reinforcement works at East Rail Line stations, and is adjusting the appropriate parking locations for trains. It is expected that in mid-2023, gates will be installed at Tai Po Market Station and Racecourse Station, and then review And improve the installation process, and then install it at each station in stages.
MTR General Manager (Project Planning and Development (Vehicle Affairs) Ding Jiajun said at a press conference today that the installation of platform gates involves five steps. The first three are platform reinforcement, signalling system update, and train replacement have been completed. Four steps, adjust the train parking position and other testing work.
The train is parked at a straighter position on the platform
Ding continued to point out that new parking locations will be implemented in the first quarter of 2023, involving 11 stations between Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau Station and Mong Kok East Station, with a total of 25 platforms.
Trains will then park on straighter platforms, and most will move a truck or two southwards to improve platform clearance.
To mark the new parking spots, the MTR will put up new signs on the platforms in the coming months, including Sha Tin Station as early as Thursday.
Ding Jiajun said that the principle of the sign is "blue first and then gray", that is, from now until before changing the parking position, passengers should follow the blue sign and wait for the bus; after parking at the new location, wait for the gray sign.
After changing the parking location, the location where the first-class car stops will also change. The MTR will also reset the current first-class approval device and install an additional one for the convenience of passengers.
After completing the adjustment of parking locations, the MTR expects to install gates at Racecourse Station and Tai Po Market Station in mid-2023.
Ding Jiajun pointed out that the platforms of the two stations are relatively straight, and the existing parking positions can be used; the other 11 stations are curved and need to be adjusted.
However, Ding Jiajun did not disclose the timetable for the installation of gates across the line.
When asked which stations would be more difficult, he only reiterated that the Racecourse and Tai Po Market stations were the easiest.
In addition, it has been about four months since the opening of the cross-sea section of the East Rail. The head of the MTR Cross-Border Railway, Cheung Chi-keung, said that the average daily passenger volume in July increased by about 2.5% year-on-year to about 530,000.
He also pointed out that the overall distribution of passengers on the MTR network was more even, with the Tsuen Wan Line dropping by 17% during the morning rush hour, while the Kwun Tong Line dropped by about 10%.
It took 3 years to install all the gates
Looking through the information, when the MTR introduced the plan to install platform gates on the East Rail Line in 2013, it pointed out that the installation of platform gates requires changing the platform structure, updating the trains and updating the signalling system, and there are 35 platforms along the East Rail Line. , the project involves the installation of about 1,600 gates.
At that time, it was expected that the operation of the East Rail Station and the train service would be maintained, and at the same time, the gate installation project would be carried out. Since the construction could only be carried out at night, the construction period was expected to take about three years.
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