Hong Kong MTR announced that due to the need to replace cable hangers near the Cross-Over Tunnel at Yau Ma Tei Station, there will be a full-day suspension of service from Prince Edward Station to Ho Man Tin Station on July 28th (Sunday). Mr. Lee Kin Hung, General Manager of Rolling Stock Engineering Maintenance at MTR Corporation, stated during an interview on a Hong Kong radio program yesterday morning that they are confident in completing the related works within 28 hours.
Lee explained that some MTR lines have been serving Hong Kong for over 40 years, and the company announced last year a plan to invest over 65 billion Hong Kong dollars between 2023 and 2027 for upgrading and maintenance purposes. This project is part of the renewal plan, considering the usage period and operational status of four stations, MTR decided to replace a total of approximately 70 meters in length and over 50 hangers within about 28 hours.
He pointed out that the metal hangers at the four stations have been in use since the opening of the line. Although they were deemed to be in good condition after inspection by engineers, it was still necessary to replace them all at once. Initially, the plan was to replace cable hangers only near Yau Ma Tei Station. However, Lee mentioned that the suspension of service at all four stations is due to the complexity of the cable system at the Yau Ma Tei Station cross-over tunnel, involving the isolation of high voltage during work, affecting power supply areas, removal and reinstallation of overhead antennas, followed by testing before the resumption of service. Therefore, the suspension from Prince Edward Station to Ho Man Tin Station is also required.
However, Lee emphasized that they are confident in completing the work within the 28-hour timeframe, and in case of adverse weather conditions on that day, there is a contingency plan to postpone the project for a week.
Ms. Lee Yuen Ling, General Manager of Operations and Local Railways at MTR Corporation, mentioned that Prince Edward Station is the only transfer station between Kwun Tong Line and Tsuen Wan Line. For passengers traveling from Tiu Keng Leng Station who used to transfer at Mong Kok Station to Central Station, Prince Edward Station will be the terminus. MTR staff will direct passengers to the lower platform to transfer from Tsuen Wan Line to Central Station.
She also explained that due to the turning-around process at the terminus in Prince Edward Station, the frequency of Kwun Tong Line trains will be adjusted. The interval between trains from Tiu Keng Leng Station to Prince Edward Station will change from every 3 minutes to every 5 minutes. As for the Tsuen Wan Line, they will also adjust to a slightly longer interval of approximately half a minute to align with the changes. During this period, there might be further adjustments in train intervals at Prince Edward Station depending on the passenger flow, and additional service on the Tuen Ma Line may be considered to manage passenger flow.