East Rail extension opens May 15

May 3, 2022

Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan:

First and foremost, we have to realise that for any train, new or old, should they be put into operation they must be sound and safe. 

By sound and safe, we mean that all the systems involved in the operation, including the signalling system, operating system, all electrical and mechanical services systems, the permanent way (track) and everything (concerning) it would be safe and sound. 

Safe in the sense of their approval, investigation and supervision by the authorities - by the Fire Services Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and also the Highways Department. 

So (the trains) are under very close scrutiny (and) examination before they are allowed to start to operate.

I am sure that Hong Kong’s railway is one of the best across the globe and there is no doubt that we have confidence that the new (East Rail Line) Cross-Harbour Extension will operate very smoothly in due course.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan today announced that the MTR East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension will open on May 15.

With the extension, the East Rail Line will become Hong Kong's fourth cross-harbour rail line and connect the Northeast New Territories, Central Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Hung Hom Station and Admiralty Station will be linked through the new Exhibition Centre Station and the rail journey between the two stations will be reduced from 19 minutes to seven minutes.

Mr Chan made it clear that safety is of the utmost importance before a rail line is launched.

“First and foremost, we have to realise that for any train, new or old, should they be put into operation they must be sound and safe.

“By sound and safe, we mean that all the systems involved in the operation, including the signalling system, operating system, all electrical and mechanical services systems, the permanent way track and everything concerning it would be safe and sound.”

He added that train safety must be approved, investigated and supervised by various government departments including the Fire Services Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and the Highways Department.

“So the trains are under very close scrutiny and examination before they are allowed to start to operate.

“I am sure that Hong Kong’s railway is one of the best across the globe and there is no doubt that we have confidence that the new East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension will operate very smoothly in due course.”