Hong Kong metro operator MTR Corporation is planning to invest HK$7bn ($902m) to buy 78 new trains with advanced operating systems and equipment.
The new eight-car trains will serve the Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island and Tseung Kwan O lines as part of its long-term asset renewal strategy to sustain high quality railway service for passengers.
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According to the company, tenders to replace the existing train sets have been returned and the assessment process is ongoing.
Along with the HK$3.3bn ($425m) earmarked in March to replace the signalling systems, MTR will push this year’s major investments to roughly HK$10bn ($1.2bn).
MTR Corporation operations director Dr Jacob Kam said: "With the aim to provide more reliable and comfortable journeys for passengers, we will take this opportunity to introduce new operating systems and equipment to our train fleet.
"The new-generation train compartments will have a number of new features including an improved lighting system that will make the train saloons feel more spacious. As well, the new dynamic route map will be able to provide more information for passengers.
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By GlobalData"Continuing to invest to upgrade our assets for the long-term is essential to keep the system functioning to the highest international standards and to ensure that the community continues to enjoy safe, reliable and convenient services well into the future."
Under the March contract, scope of work was to replace the signalling system for six commuter lines and the Airport Express to increase overall carrying capacity.
MTR noted that with the launch of a new round of train service enhancements average on-time train performance in the first four months of the year was maintained at more than 99.9%.
Dr Kam noted: "Keeping our on-time performance at 99.9% is becoming more and more challenging. Since 2007, when the MTR and KCR system were merged, the amount of car-km we have operated in our train service has increased more than 11% while passenger numbers have grown by 28%.
"With more people using our service, we understand more people will be affected when there are long delays so we are working towards providing more customer-focused and real-time information to passengers to help them plan their onward journeys so that we can minimise any inconvenience caused."
Image: MTR will invest around $902m to replace the existing 78 eight-car trains. Photo: courtesy of MTR Corporation.
