Train service from the Kwun Tong Line’s Prince Edward to Ho Man Tin stations will be suspended for a day on July 28 for maintenance work, MTR Corp announced on Wednesday.
The affected stations will be the Kwun Tong Line’s Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei and Ho Man Tin. The railway company said it will provide two bus routes, operated by Kowloon Motor Bus, to transport passengers.
Lee Kim-hung, MTR Corp’s chief of operations, engineering and maintenance, said on Wednesday that the decision was prompted by the need to replace the overhead hangers in tunnels at the Yau Ma Tei Station, which have been in service for over four decades
MTR said that other lines in the affected stations, including the Tsuen Wan Line in the Prince Edward, Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei stations, will operate as usual that day, as will the Ho Man Tin station on the Tuen Ma Line. The Prince Edward Station will be the only interchange station for the Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan lines.
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Lee Kim-hung, MTR Corp’s chief of operations, engineering and maintenance, said on Wednesday that the decision was prompted by the need to replace the overhead hangers in tunnels at the Yau Ma Tei Station, which have been in service for over four decades.
The process is too complicated to be done only during after-service hours, he said.
Legislator Gary Zhang Xinyu, a former MTR station manager, emphasized that the Kwun Tong Line has been operating for over 40 years, very close to its design lifespan of 50 years, and it is therefore crucial to examine and replace old parts to prevent safety risks.
Zhang refers to the situation as “a ticking time bomb”, and urged MTR to conduct repair work without further delay.
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While acknowledging the inconvenience to passengers, MTR assured the public that efforts will be made to minimize disruptions. As the affected stations are primarily interchange stations and not completely closed, Zhang also suggested that MTR deploy extra employees at stations to assist and guide passengers, ensuring a smooth travel experience during the temporary suspension of services.
