Hong Kong’s MTR Corp will suspend operations at four stations on the Kwun Tong Line on July 28 for an unprecedented upgrade

“The modernization work goes beyond the regular repair and maintenance work that can be carried out within the two golden hours after daily maintenance work is completed,” said Lee Kim-hung, head of operations engineering and maintenance at MTR Corp.

MTR Corp and the government recently discussed with some lawmakers the possibility of service disruptions as a result of a five-year, HK$65 billion (US$8.3 billion) investment plan through 2028 to maintain railway assets.

On July 28, a Sunday, the upgrade will replace 50 large metal brackets that have been used for more than 40 years to hang power cables from the ceiling of a tunnel that spans the affected stations. This requires a power interruption.

Passengers on the Kwun Tong Line only need to transfer to the Tsuen Wan Line at Prince Edward Station on this day.

The Kwun Tong Line will continue to operate between Tiu Keng Leng and Prince Edward and between Ho Man Tin and Whampoa.

Cheris Lee Yuen-ling, head of the railway company’s operations and subway segment, said passengers would have to wait an extra minute or two that day.

“There are alternative routes within our network of 98 stations,” she said.

Those traveling between Yau Ma Tei and the next stop, Ho Man Tin, must go around Jordan, Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom stations.

Lee said two additional KMB routes, 8 and 30X, would operate free of charge between Yau Ma Tei and Whampoa during the upgrade works and rail services would resume the next day.

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The story behind Hong Kong’s colorful MTR stations

The story behind Hong Kong’s colorful MTR stations

Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun said: “The biggest challenge and my biggest concern is whether they can complete the upgrade within a day.”

MTR Corp said it would postpone the upgrade if Typhoon No. 8 or bad weather threatened the work, then rescheduled the work to Aug. 4, the following Sunday.

The Kwun Tong Line began operation in 1979 and was subsequently expanded to cover the route between Whampoa in Hung Hom and Tiu Keng Leng in Tseung Kwan O with 17 stations. The Tsuen Wan Line, with 16 stations between Tsuen Wan and Central, began operation in 1982.

Last year’s asset review was triggered by two high-profile incidents in 2022.

Service was disrupted for hours on part of the Tsuen Wan Line while passengers were put in danger as they exited carriages via an emergency exit and walked along the tracks in the dark before services were suspended.