MTR has recently experienced an incident where the door of a modernized train on the Urban Line (that is, a train purchased earlier and commonly known as "M train") fell off. This is the second such accident within a year.
The Legislative Council held a general meeting today (30th), and some members questioned whether the government can urge the MTR to speed up the progress of replacing it with 8-carriage trains (commonly known as "Q trains").
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Lam Sai-hung, pointed out that during a random inspection of the doors last year, he learned that MTR’s door repair work was “generally safe.” Many councilors expressed that they would not accept the goods and asked the government to urge the MTR to quickly replace them with new Q cars.
Lin Shixiong: The progress of testing the new signal system and replacing it with a new car has been delayed
Tian Beichen, who raised the question, was concerned about the current inspection status of the doors and guide rails of M trains. Lin Shixiong said that the current urban line trains have to undergo detailed inspections on the doors every time they travel about 8,000 kilometers. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department launched a proactive and comprehensive audit last year. Conduct spot checks on conditions, maintenance records, etc., and spot checks on train doors to confirm that MTR is generally safe in repairing doors.
He also pointed out that due to an accident during the test of the new signal system in 2019, the progress of replacing the new trains has been delayed, but the new trains will be replaced in batches before 2028.
Tian Beichen stated that he did not accept the "roughly safe" statement, "I will no longer believe in these 30 to 40-year-old M cars", and questioned why they were not replaced with Q cars at full speed, and should not wait until 2028 for a full replacement.
Wu Qiubei: The MTR "coerces the service to convince the government"
Wu Qiubei, president of the Federation of Trade Unions, questioned MTR's self-reliance on service monopoly, "coercing the government with services", and believed that the government should invest more resources to urge MTR to speed up the replacement of trains.
Lin Shixiong said that the MTR ordered 93 Q trains to replace all M trains in 2015. He understands the concerns of the members. According to the current schedule, there are about 3 and 10 new trains installed in the existing signaling system. It will be put into service on the Kwun Tong Line this year and next; 15 new trains installed in the existing system will also be put into service in 2024 and 25.
He emphasized that after the new trains arrive in Hong Kong, they must undergo rigorous testing and large-scale testing before they leave the factory. They must be reviewed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Transport Department before they can be put into service.
He pointed out that it is possible to urge the MTR to see if there is room for further speeding up.
▼On November 13, MTR personnel carried out emergency repairs after the train derailed▼
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MTR slamming doors｜In recent years, fried cars have been derailed frequently and 4 lines of network trains have malfunctioned. GG in Hong Kong: I miss the old MTR slamming doors│Yau Ma Tei Station rails replaced with new parts. Q Train put into operation
