MTR's domestically produced Q Train is put into operation Zhang Xinyu hopes to use it after repeated debugging for safe travel

MTR's newly purchased China Qingdao Quartet Train (Q Train) started carrying passengers on the Kwun Tong Line yesterday (27th).

Cheung Hsin-yu, vice-chairman of the Subcommittee on Railway Matters of the Legislative Council, said this morning (28th) that the urban line system has been in use for decades, and there are indeed aging problems, but the performance is still good and the stability is not bad.

He hoped that the MTR would adopt a conservative attitude, and only use new trains after repeated debugging until it is safe.

▼Take the first MTR Q Train on November 27th▼

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The air conditioner is too cold and the lighting is too strong, need to adjust again

Zhang Xinyu said in the radio program "Millennium Times" that he did not experience the new train at the site yesterday, but he has inquired with the passengers and received a response that the train is quieter when running, and the acceleration and deceleration are smoother, but the temperature of the air conditioner is too low, and the cabin The light of the lamp is too strong and needs to be adjusted again.

As for the MTR claiming that the armrests and seats have been improved, he thinks it is a personal preference, and everyone has different opinions.

Asked whether it is reasonable for MTR to complete train replacement in 2028-2029.

He said that based on past experience, when the process of changing trains is smooth, it will take 5 weeks at the fastest to change a train.

If calculated with more than 90 trains on the urban line, it will take 6 to 7 years, which is about the same time.

He also pointed out that, unlike the dead line for new projects, there is no time limit for replacing trains. Therefore, he hopes that MTR can take a conservative attitude and repeatedly debug until it is safe before using it successively.

Cheung Yan-yu, vice-chairman of the Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters concerning Railways.

(File photo/photo by Liao Yanxiong)

The stability of the urban line system is not bad, only the daily maintenance needs to be stepped up

Zhang Xinyu also pointed out that when the MTR signal system was updated in the past, many customized functions were added to match the unique situation and technical indicators of Hong Kong, so that the train was more stable and safe when running.

However, when there are too many customizations, it is difficult for software suppliers to cooperate, and bugs (program loopholes) are prone to occur.

He pointed out that MTR discovered the situation during the test run in 2019. After review, it switched to standardized software and added a small amount of customization. It is recognized as a pragmatic approach.

When asked about the aging risk of the current trains, he said frankly that the current urban line system has been in use for decades, and many parts are really difficult to find, and the trains are not aging.

However, he said that the current performance of the system is good, and the stability is not bad, and he thinks that it is enough to step up daily maintenance.

▼Take the first MTR Q Train on November 27th▼

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700 train fans and passengers took the first bus on MTR’s domestic Q Train, shouting, I’m really excited New train｜Q-Train’s six highlights directly hit the armrests, double the seat, and ergonomic urban line new train｜MTR’s new train set sail on November 27, and the 6 major upgrades are the first to see one by one