Photo: Screenshot of a new train from MTR

The first new eight-car train from MTR Corporation will commence service from November 27 on the Kwun Tong Line in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gradually replacing the first generation of urban line trains operated under a British system. It also marks the largest investment for the company of HKD $6 billion ($768 million). 

The corporation said in a statement on Tuesday that it placed an order to purchase 93 new trains a few years ago which was the largest investment in rolling stock by MTR. 

The 93 new Q-trains were manufactured by CRRC Qingdao Sifang with the total purchase worth HKD$6 billion, stnn.cc reported, noting that the Q-train will run at a maximum speed of 80 km/h with a capacity of over 3,000 passengers. 

The new trains are equipped with signaling equipment for operating under the existing system and will also be able to accommodate the new signaling system when the signaling replacement project is completed.

The MTR urban line trains have served Hong Kong for more than 40 years since the opening of the Kwun Tong Line, according to the corporation, which said that enhancements on the new trains such as “smart servers” will further enhance the reliability of train operation. 

Global Times