Glitch-free: East Rail trains run smoothly after shifting to manual operation.

The Government will hire an overseas expert to look into the East Rail train safety issue in the coming two weeks, Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao says.

Speaking to the media this evening, Dr Liao said an expert with rich experience in rail operations will focus on technical aspects and determine long-term remedial measures to the system defects.

Dr Liao said, after learning of the train problems, the bureau's railway inspection section has increased its manpower from seven to 15, and has been working round-the-clock to find the scope of the defects.

The team is collecting relevant data for a comprehensive assessment of train operations, while it continues to monitor the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation's daily inspections and repair works, she said.

An interdepartmental working group has also been set up to monitor the incident's progress, and a Transport Department contingency plan is already in place, she added.

Problem-reporting delays probe

On the probe into KCRC's handling of the train problem, Dr Liao said a panel of independent non-executive board members and community leaders will be set up.

With a better understanding of the corporation's running, the board members will help the panel to conduct enquiries, she explained.

Dr Liao said the panel, focusing on the KCRC's inspection and reporting system, will identify responsibilities for the recent delays in problem-reporting, adding it will also review the role of the railway-inspection section.

She said the prime concern now is to ensure trains run safely and smoothly, adding the probe will start only after remedial measures to address the system problem are in place.

KCRC Chairman Michael Tien said the board will support a Government-led probe into recent train problems, to maintain neutrality.

The board said two separate probes are unnecessary. The study will cover the inspection and reporting system procedures, whether they have been strictly followed and if there are any weaknesses.

On the investigation's timing, Mr Tien said as the focus should be on the smooth and safe running of train services. It is not pragmatic to conduct the enquiry at the same time, he added.

Since the KCRC needs time to find the causes of the cracks found on equipment underneath the trains, both the board and the Government have agreed to defer the probe to February.