^^ It's pretty neat.

It's not neat...it's frickin' cool!

oLPv0EwscA8

Is that art going to be permanent in Lai King?

Lol!:lol: What's the deal with Space Man?

I think the new entrances and station signage designs (metal, red stripes) are supposed to look futuristic, but they just look tacky...perhaps if they somehow could illuminate the metal panels at night or use a different metal. Looks kind of Frank Lloyd Wright futuristic to me.



I thought they look great. Hong Kong's metro entrances are among the best in the world in my opinion. Its clear and simple yet modern not over done. Its actually quite nice at night considering how big the side glass are, the lights from the station illuminates through.

Lol!:lol: What's the deal with Space Man?

Was his music on though?

I thought they look great. Hong Kong's metro entrances are among the best in the world in my opinion. Its clear and simple yet modern not over done. Its actually quite nice at night considering how big the side glass are, the lights from the station illuminates through.


Don't get me wrong: I love how it has all that glass to let in natural sunlight, but I think it's the red stripes with metal that makes me sigh...trust me, it's a heck of a lot better than most entrances I've seen in other cities.

Was his music on though?


It was.

From the description on YouTube:
Morning rush hour on the MTR has never been this lively, with passengers on the Island line treated to the unusual sight of a visitor from outer space boarding their train.

Dressed in his distinctive astronaut outfit and accompanied by his trademark 80s ghetto blaster, music producer/DJ Spaace Maan blasted out his own brand of retro-futuristic electro-pop for morning commuters.

However the fun ended when the DJ returned to Central station, where MTR staff and police were waiting to detain Spaace Maan. After being detained for approximately three hours, Spaace Maan was eventually released.

Get rid of that thing, and 20 more people can squeeze into the train during rush hour.

I love the underground system in Hong kong!!..i remember i could buy at Mcdonalds with my octopus card! :P

I love the underground system in Hong kong!!..i remember i could buy at Mcdonalds with my octopus card! :P

Yay! Another convert!

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_090816/20090816_6057f4dad09f5d86112clPHNSvQ5v9Yv.jpg

How come they don't have screen doors for this station?

Hung Hom was formerly a KCR station until the 2007 merger.

KCR did not perform PSD retrofits, and MTR's programme was begun back in 2001. There are plans to build cheaper half-height gates at ex-KCR open-air stations.

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_090816/20090816_6057f4dad09f5d86112clPHNSvQ5v9Yv.jpg

How come they don't have screen doors for this station?

This is Hung Hum, one of the former KCR East Rail stations that hasn't installed PSD yet.

Ijt76OiAa2M

Hung Hom was formerly a KCR station until the 2007 merger.

KCR did not perform PSD retrofits, and MTR's programme was begun back in 2001. There are plans to build cheaper half-height gates at ex-KCR open-air stations.

Hmm I dunno-I don't like half-height gates since the station isn't climate controlled, but I guess for outdoors platforms, it could be more inviting...? (Of course, I would probably disagree if I were in the hot, humid HK summers right now :lol:

Ijt76OiAa2M

I can see him being verbally abused by bus uncle hahaha

MTR urged to see the light over energy
7 September 2009
South China Morning Post

The MTR Corporation is being urged to modify the lighting at three stations on the West Rail which, critics say, is wasting power.

A million kilowatts of electricity could be saved annually by changing the lighting system at the Yuen Long, Long Ping and Tin Shui Wai stations, according to a green group.

The existing system is a so-called refractive design, in which the light is diffused by panels installed on the ceilings before being directed to the platform. All lights are also shielded from below to prevent glare.

Roy Tam Hoi-pong, president of Green Sense, estimated that there were 6,800 lights in the concourses of the three stations but, with modifications, only half that number would be required.

"The lighting designer for the station should not have adopted the refractive design," he said.

"The poor design has created a lock-in effect that is set to cost the rail operator tens of thousands of dollars each year."

Tam said the shield should be removed and lights should shine directly on the concourse. A more advanced lighting technology could minimise the glare without compromising energy efficiency.

He said the cost would be minimal and could be recouped with power bill savings in the first year. Slightly more than one million kilowatt hours of electricity could be saved, representing a financial saving of about HK$800,000.

The MTR Corp said it would take any measures to save energy that did not compromise safety, but a spokesman said the corporation believed the existing lighting systems at the three stations gave those using the stations more comfortable and balanced lighting.

"We have no idea how the group's figures on savings are derived," he said.

The West Rail links the western New Territories to urban areas.

I love the underground system in Hong kong!!..i remember i could buy at Mcdonalds with my octopus card! :P

I still have my Octopus card from when I visited in 2008. One day I'll return and make use of it again. The money on it has probably expired now though :lol:

I still have my Octopus card from when I visited in 2008. One day I'll return and make use of it again. The money on it has probably expired now though :lol:

They are valid for 3 years (new ones anyway) now apparently... used to be 2 years, so actually not too sure if it's retroactive. Still... you've got a whole year to get to HK. ;)

They are valid for 3 years (new ones anyway) now apparently... used to be 2 years, so actually not too sure if it's retroactive. Still... you've got a whole year to get to HK. ;)

the longest time i have not used my octopus card was 2 years and 9 months a few years ago. i think 3 years is the correct number. but even if you don't use your card, you can still go to the mtr kiosk to ask to reactive the card.

the longest time i have not used my octopus card was 2 years and 9 months a few years ago. i think 3 years is the correct number. but even if you don't use your card, you can still go to the mtr kiosk to ask to reactive the card.

So it won't technically expire right.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/124/r1154475.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4268/r1154477.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6897/r1154473.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1859/r1154472.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3029/r1154478.jpg

LOL! Hello there.:naughty:

Btw, do they really have to make those guys stay there with those signs?

I really hope it was a company that took those photos... and it wasn't just some train geek making his girlfriend pose with MTR signs :lol:

LOL! Hello there.:naughty:

Btw, do they really have to make those guys stay there with those signs?

Yes. Yes they do...

I really hope it was a company that took those photos... and it wasn't just some train geek making his girlfriend pose with MTR signs :lol:

The photo watermarks gave it away... they are taken by (CC)TVB, one of the local TV broadcasters, so the girl is some Z-list HK "celebrity" I assume...

Yes. Yes they do...
Yeah, but why? Isn't there another way to inform people if the train goes to LOHAS Park or Po Lam?

It's actually a serious question, I'm not mocking.:)

Yeah, but why? Isn't there another way to inform people if the train goes to LOHAS Park or Po Lam?

It's actually a serious question, I'm not mocking.:)

Yes, there are announcements and TV screens on the platform to inform passengers the destination.
These MTR staff is a temporary action to further empathizing the information, and serves as representative to answer any questions promptly if there is any.

Ok, I get it. Thanks.:)

So it won't technically expire right.

yes, but i believe there is a surcharge to reactivate your card.

I really hope it was a company that took those photos... and it wasn't just some train geek making his girlfriend pose with MTR signs :lol:

She's Katy Kung, a TVB artist (Z-list for now). They are from her personal TVB blog, so it was probably taken by a friend of hers.

More of her here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=583537) ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/3922639445_d96764fab1_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikii/3922639445/in/photostream/

I think it's a waste of money and effort to actually employ so many people to hold up signs. The interchange is clearly marked and the different colours indicate the different lines. I don't see how that improves customer service by having a mouth there to tell you what the sign above blatantly says.

I think it's a waste of money and effort to actually employ so many people to hold up signs. The interchange is clearly marked and the different colours indicate the different lines. I don't see how that improves customer service by having a mouth there to tell you what the sign above blatantly says.

I think so, too.
Same thing for the SKL, how confusing can it be to walk across the platform for transfer? And it was all big deal.

Well, we know HK people... we are all spoiled by the MTR. :nuts:

Redundancy is one thing MTR excels at. All the redundant signage, and now the extra "ambassadors," make it painfully obvious where to go.

I don't see how that improves customer service by having a mouth there to tell you what the sign above blatantly says.

I think so, too.
Same thing for the SKL, how confusing can it be to walk across the platform for transfer? And it was all big deal.

Redundancy is one thing MTR excels at. All the redundant signage, and now the extra "ambassadors," make it painfully obvious where to go.

I hazard a guess it's pandering to a "certain" country bumpkin group of visitors or migrants whom seem to have real trouble following even the simplest of instructions. :lol::bash:

I hazard a guess it's pandering to a "certain" country bumpkin group of visitors or migrants whom seem to have real trouble following even the simplest of instructions. :lol::bash:

Ouch lol

She's Katy Kung, a TVB artist (Z-list for now). They are from her personal TVB blog, so it was probably taken by a friend of hers.

She was the one that was in that recent police show right? The one with "Laughing Goh?"

I'm not sure... I rarely watch TVB nowadays.

Since it seems like there are several people interested in her, here is some info on her. I don't know if her filmography details are up to date. I do watch Scoop whenever I can and I've seen Dressage to Win.

Birthday: December 5, 1989
Height: 162cm
Bust: 32
Waist: 24
Hips: 33

Variety Shows:
- Scoop Host

TVB Series:
- Dressage to Win - 盛裝舞步愛作戰 (2008)
- You're Hired! - 絕代商驕 (2009)

Movies:
- Love Connected - 保持愛你(2008)

I don't know if there's a police show in there, but it doesn't look like it.

I hope this hasn't derailed the thread.... back to the MTR!

I hazard a guess it's pandering to a "certain" country bumpkin group of visitors or migrants whom seem to have real trouble following even the simplest of instructions. :lol::bash:

Not really. I doubt this is for tourists, as the signs I've seen at Nam Cheong or East Tsim Sha Tsui or Hung Hom are all in traditional Chinese!

Not really. I doubt this is for tourists, as the signs I've seen at Nam Cheong or East Tsim Sha Tsui or Hung Hom are all in traditional Chinese!

I'll be the first one to protest if MTR does thing in simplified chinese only in HK!!!

I'll be the first one to protest if MTR does thing in simplified chinese only in HK!!!

Seriously, simplified chinese is just plain disrespectful and it breaks down the language...just like typing "u" - even i do it too :(

Seriously, simplified chinese is just plain disrespectful and it breaks down the language...just like typing "u" - even i do it too :(

Knowing Hong Kong people, expect a protest within 24 hours. :lol:

10,000 oppose MTR line's path
23 September 2009
South China Morning Post

More than 10,000 signatures opposing the South Island Line's alignment had been submitted to the government when a two-month objection period on the link ended yesterday.

The Transport and Housing Bureau was still working last night to identify the groups or individuals who had filed objections.

Their grievances will have to be considered before the project can move on to the next stage.

While district residents support construction of the link, many are unhappy about a viaduct section above the nullah between Nam Fung Road and Ap Lei Chau, which will damage the area's beautiful scenery and pass several noise-sensitive institutions - a seminary, a temple, a home for the elderly and a hostel for the mentally disabled.

Tai Wong Yeh, a temple at the mouth of the nullah near Wong Chuk Hang, also filed an objection over the viaduct design yesterday.

Temple keeper Paul Cheung Kin-hung said the government was going to take over a small piece of land between the temple and the nullah. The temple has used the land for rituals for 20 years.

Cheung said the land was being claimed to make way for a viaduct foundation column, which would be built right outside the temple's entrance.

The MTR has already agreed to enclose the viaduct to lessen the noise but engineers are still studying ways to move the viaduct away from the complainants.

Suggestions may be made in two weeks.

Meanwhile, complaints against taxi drivers overcharging jumped about 58 per cent to 313 cases during the first half of this year over the same period last year.

The increase followed changes to the fare system last year that saw fares rise for short trips and fall for longer journeys. The changes came before the Transport Department officially altered all taxi metres.

Other complaints against taxi drivers have declined.

Hey guys, I'm leaving for HK tomorrow and I have everything sorted out, but I do have one quick question.:) I'll be staying in HK for 3 days, and will leave early in the morning on the 4th day.

I'm thinking of buying the HK$300 Airport Express Travel Pass with a round-trip journey on the airport express and 3 days of unlimited travel on MTR, and on the 4th day, in the morning, just charge the card with the amount needed to go from Jordan to Hong Kong (HK$ 8.5).

And here's the question: do those two trips on the airports express need to be made in the same 3-day period, or can I make one on the first day (VHHH-Hong Kong) and make the second one (Hong Kong - VHHH) on the 4th day?

Also, I understand this pass is also an Octopus card, right? So after the pass expires I can just charge it with whatever sum I need, like a regular Octopus?

Thanks in advance.:cheers:

iPhone band

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The new yellow stickers should have been put on the windows or under them.

Now they look like eyebrows

The new yellow stickers should have been put on the windows or under them.
Are the stickers the ones that say "Don't block the doors?" I made a similar comment about NYC's new subway ads to tell people to "Please Don't Block the Doors...You're blocking this train and the one behind it." - the authority here should have stuck it on the doors, not inside the train compartment.
Now they look like eyebrows
LOL nice...

Loved the voice of the chinese speaking girl in the subway.
Does someone have a video?

^^ Train arriving
TZSKW4MeGec

Train leaving
4bWszZBHEss

Airport Express - I have never taken it, but love the acceleration sound!

OczraepvitM

AEL trains should have the exact same sound as TCL A-stock trains.

AEL trains should have the exact same sound as TCL A-stock trains.

You would have thought so... but they really don't (yes I've ridden both :P):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_1oMa3pDCk

The sound of the AEL is more pronounced (as that video shows)... I think it's to do with the difference of acoustic qualities between the AEL trains (separate carriages) and the TCL trains (straight through tube), then also arrangements of seating, materials and so forth.

TVC 2009

OmOlZNC8VZc

Live in Taipo > Study in Wan Chai??
University is a better off for his dad!!!

Great to see the MTR constantly producing these commercials. I hope Singapore can do something like this to encourage ppl to take public transport.

Live in Taipo > Study in Wan Chai??
University is a better off for his dad!!!

But his dad still have to commute between Central and Tai Po:)

Great to see the MTR constantly producing these commercials. I hope Singapore can do something like this to encourage ppl to take public transport.

Yup there are quite a lot meaningful TVC of HK MTR on air.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9641/dscn4153zol.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dbeytxwsMIE/StGK-IDF3iI/AAAAAAAACes/EwV1QO--9m4/s1600/3997120859_66d33d6d1d_o.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/hx2mwh.gif

That was a great ad. Nothing more to say.

AEL trains should have the exact same sound as TCL A-stock trains.

Sounds just like the ones in BVE! :)
TVC 2009

OmOlZNC8VZc

Great to see the MTR constantly producing these commercials. I hope Singapore can do something like this to encourage ppl to take public transport.

To be honest, the MTR has such good relations with the public, I doubt they would even need to produce these ads...

To be honest, the MTR has such good relations with the public, I doubt they would even need to produce these ads...

well... competitions drive the need, just like why KMB is doing the propaganda as well.

MTR TV Commercials

MTR 2004 (Kenny Kwan & Isabella Leung) The most eyecatching one
zQZdqTGrJ9U

MTR 2004 (Kenny Kwan & Isabella Leung) long version
bxBFMvZsgCM

MTR 2000 (Edison Chen & Cheung Pak Chi)
Sp_a3m30MTs

MTR 2007 一路帶動生活 Joey Yung
Qb_qp2oYqS0

Strangely, this did not appear in the English press :

港鐵兩月5故障 運署擔心成「慣性」
http://paper.wenweipo.com [2009-10-11]

【本報訊】港鐵連續第2日發生故障，繼前日傍晚繁忙時段，將軍澳線發生信號故障後，昨晨上班繁忙時間，再有列車於佐敦站發生故障，往中環列車服務受阻逾半小時，大批上班一族被迫滯留月台或車廂，有乘客指港鐵未有及時通知公眾，安排混亂。是次已為2個多月內第5宗故障，運輸及房屋局要求港鐵提交報告，並指示機電署跟進港鐵故障是否已成慣性趨勢。

　昨晨8時40分，荃灣線一列駛往中環列車掣動系統出現問題，車長遂在油麻地站通知全車逾500名乘客下車，轉乘其他列車，並將故障列車駛回車廠，未料當列車駛經佐敦站時故障停下，10餘分鐘後才繼續開行至尖沙咀站附近管道內的避車處停泊檢查，惟受事故影響，沿線其他列車服務受阻延逾半個多小時。

掣動故障 專家指不罕見

熟悉鐵路系統的香港工程師學會前會長梁廣灝表示，列車掣動系統出現故障並不罕見，整個系統設計是當遇上故障，系統便會因安全理由而使列車停止運作，須再作調較才能啟動。他又稱，列車須儲夠風量才可讓掣動器開關數次，但今次事件未知甚麼原因使風泵未能儲足夠的風，沒有足夠風壓去開啟掣動器。

安排混亂 未及時通知公眾

期間，旺角站有數百乘客滯留月台，大部分乘客要多等候1至2班列車才能登車，上車後又要繼續苦候數分鐘，甚至近10分鐘，列車才能開行。為控制人潮，港鐵太子站更一度將大部分入閘機關閉，有到達港鐵站才知悉故障延誤的乘客批評，港鐵未有及時通知公眾，站內指示不清，安排混亂，令大批趕上班乘客感到無助及無奈。

港鐵聲明 近兩日故障無關連

港鐵發言人表示，意外涉及列車掣動系統故障，令荃灣線各個港鐵站列車服務受阻約半小時，服務在早上9時10分已恢復正常。港鐵副公司事務總經理王美琪向乘客致歉，但指前日與昨日兩宗故障起因並無關連，港鐵會認真檢討事件，調查事故原因，一周內提交報告。

對於港鐵接二連三發生故障影響乘客，運輸及房屋局局長鄭汝樺表示，機電工程署每次都有跟進事件，而是次港鐵亦有按機制向政府通報，當局十分關注這些故障問題，會密切監察是否形成一個趨勢。

立會跟進 劉健儀力倡追究

立法會鐵路事宜小組委員會主席劉健儀批評，港鐵最近頻頻發生故障，委員會可能提前開會追究。劉健儀指，港鐵會向立法會提交書面報告，她會待立法會復會後，再次要求港鐵解釋事故原因及解決方法，聽取港鐵對事件的報告及改善措施後，再作建議。

今次已為2個多月內第4宗港鐵故障(見附表)。對上一宗剛發生於前日傍晚下班繁忙時間，將軍澳線發生信號故障，往來調景嶺至寶琳及康城站列車服務受阻逾1個半小時，數以千計乘客受影響。期間港鐵需派出接駁巴士疏導乘客，但情況混亂，有乘客投訴港鐵應變措施不足，令他在車廂呆等半小時，列車才可開出。

港鐵將軍澳線故障 安排混亂
2009年10月10日
東方日報

http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20091010/photo/1010-00176-030b1.jpg

- Tseung Kwan Line signal outage during rush hour at 6pm
- crowds were stuck at platforms
- North Point - Po Lam service delay of 1.5 minutes
- Tiu Keng Leng - Po Lam / LOHAS service stopped for several minutes
- Po Lam and LOHAS Park-bound passengers scrambled for other forms of transport
- government officials demand explanation of signal problems
- walk from Tiu Keng Leng - Hang Hau takes some 15 minutes, and MTR did not provide feeder buses
- government urged to improve alternative transport facilities as contingency for MTR service disruptions and question numerous signal problems on TKO Line


【本報訊】港鐵將軍澳線昨又在繁忙時間發生訊號故障，令列車服務受阻，大批乘客一度滯留在北角與調景嶺站月台，往寶琳及康城站的乘客被迫改乘其他交通工具。身受其害的議員狠批港鐵的安排「混帳」，要求港鐵就屢次發生訊號故障解畫。

昨晚六時許，港鐵將軍澳線發生訊號故障，來往北角至寶琳的列車服務每班次較平時延遲一點五分鐘。調景嶺至寶琳及康城之間列車服務更暫停數分鐘，使北角及調景嶺站月台人頭湧湧。
議員身受其害

立法會議員葉偉明及西貢區議員方國珊昨亦身受其害，葉指出，他本從立法會出發前往寶琳，詎料列車駛至油塘站，港鐵便作出廣播指因訊號故障要求所有乘客離開車廂，他稱：「延誤咗八分鐘，然後上另一架車，又等咗三分幾鐘，去到調景嶺站又等差不多十分鐘。」最後港鐵竟呼籲前往坑口至寶琳的乘客返回地面，自行乘搭交通工具。

葉直言，從調景嶺車站步行至坑口站需約半小時，加上缺乏交通工具途經兩地，狠批港鐵的安排「混帳」，無安排接駁巴士疏導乘客。他批評，將軍澳線已不止一次發生訊號故障，會於立法會跟進事宜，並會要求港鐵代表到會上解釋。方則建議政府加強沿線各站的配套交通工具，勿再因港鐵發生故障，而令乘客「無車返家」。港鐵發言人表示，當列車服務受阻期間，有安排接駁巴士疏導乘客。

打工仔早到變遲到
2009年10月11日
東方日報

http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20091011/photo/1011-00176-007b1.jpg

http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20091011/photo/1011-00176-007b2.jpg

- Tseun Wan - Central journey took an hour, with stops of 5 minutes per station
- 2nd outage in recent days
- passengers question whether inspections are adequate to prevent disruptions
- contingency plans were not properly put in place following disruption
- some passengers could not board after 10+ minute wait
- many passengers rushed already busy trains, resulting in delays in trains leaving platforms
- ironically as passengers take the MTR to avoid delays, they themselves were delayed in this outage

【本報訊】「由荃灣坐港鐵去到中環足足坐咗成個鐘頭，站站停五分鐘，又逼又熱點解港鐵周不時壞車？對需要準時返工嘅市民造成好唔方便嘛！」氣沖沖趕出閘上班的陸先生如是說，希望港鐵藉今次兩度壞車事故，徹底檢查各列車系統，免再將乘客「舞來舞去」。

將軍澳線前晚壞車，港鐵需要調派接駁巴士疏導乘客。

有乘客批評港鐵昨日在停駛事故發生後應變力不足，只懂得關掉中環線各車站部分入閘機，企圖讓乘客排隊入閘以減少月台的擠迫，可是港鐵沒有想到，站在月台等候十多分鐘仍然無法登車時，擠在月台的乘客每當列車埋站，均會盡辦法擠上車，最後弄至閘門關不上，整部列車及所有乘客又需要多等幾分鐘，但月台候車的乘客量卻在壞車期間一直沒有減少呢。

中環站大批乘客離開港鐵車站時均是加速腳步，因為他們經已遲到，乘客張小姐埋怨說，避開塞車才選搭港鐵，怎料到沒有塞車卻是壞車，昨日遲到半小時，希望公司體諒。

港鐵兩月5故障 運署擔心成「慣性」
http://paper.wenweipo.com [2009-10-11]

If something like this does happen, does the MTR refund/waive passengers who have already entered the paid area, if they choose not to take the shuttle buses?

HK people are just spoiled... lol Come to NYC to see the real deal of delays.

HK people are just spoiled... lol Come to NYC to see the real deal of delays.

HKers are just used to efficiency

HK people are just spoiled... lol Come to NYC to see the real deal of delays.

Oooo .. ooo ... or try the Underground! :)

Oooo .. ooo ... or try the Underground! :)

Yup, the Underground is a total joke.

Yup, the Underground is a total joke.

Really? I've always thought the LU was pretty good compared to NYC's..

Really? I've always thought the LU was pretty good compared to NYC's..

New York's system is worse from a usage perspective. London did clean up some of its stations. But London seems to have far more outages.

'Tis true. On weekends numerous lines are closed for 'engineering works'. But at least that signals a better service in the future...

'Tis true. On weekends numerous lines are closed for 'engineering works'. But at least that signals a better service in the future...

The Mayor of London has just announced that TfL will be ditching numerous station upgrades due to the current spiralling budget... sigh.

The HK MTR is just so well run when compared with most subway systems around the globe. It is funny how relatively small disruptions (in comparison to London/NYC) make headlines in HK. The Tube has numerous disruptions on a daily basis!

The Mayor of London has just announced that TfL will be ditching numerous station upgrades due to the current spiralling budget... sigh.

The HK MTR is just so well run when compared with most subway systems around the globe. It is funny how relatively small disruptions (in comparison to London/NYC) make headlines in HK. The Tube has numerous disruptions on a daily basis!

Well, that's probably because Jay Walder's presence is no longer in London lol...he's with us now hooray!

Well, in HK news, it's either MTR disruption or celebrity sex scandal-you pick. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/4030112645_116448d21e_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teacher_evan/4030112645/

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Train from Mainland China
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/4029186370_b934264a0e_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonnett/sets/72157622624876328/with/4029188302/

Those DF11s and SS8s are not the prettiest locomotives. Bring SS9 to HK!

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum and found it very helpful for a project I'm doing, therefore I want to ask you guys some questions regarding my project.

Should 'women only carriages' be introduce in the MTR?

How should it be implemented e.g. more signs? new rules? etc.

What else should MTR do to reduce sexual crimes within the carriages?

Also, please add your own views regarding this issue.

Many Thanks in advance

Train from Mainland China
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/4029186370_b934264a0e_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonnett/sets/72157622624876328/with/4029188302/

I sense a bit of sarcasm there lol...is this at the border?

You know it's strange that I've never ridden the Light Rail in HK... gotta go try it once...

I sense a bit of sarcasm there lol...is this at the border?

I hate these really old 70-80s (I think?) Russian looking locomotives... so ugly and bland, kinda like the cars from the same era.

If you click the link it says its Shatin... and clicky the Original picture and zooming in will say that it's shatin, though I had no idea the station looked like that...I always come out under the shopping center and go straight into it through the escalator

^^ That's the southern end of the platform at Shatin.
The shopping centre is the big building in the picture right above the tracks.

Admiralty

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4036005585_67bdd37cb1_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/4036005589_a93f77e550_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/4036005591_50315df8b2_o.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14366143@N03/sets/72157622514158495/

^^ Why there are aerials on the floor?

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum and found it very helpful for a project I'm doing, therefore I want to ask you guys some questions regarding my project.

Should 'women only carriages' be introduce in the MTR?

How should it be implemented e.g. more signs? new rules? etc.

What else should MTR do to reduce sexual crimes within the carriages?

Also, please add your own views regarding this issue.

Many Thanks in advance

Please give me some feedback.
Thanks

Admiralty

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4036005585_67bdd37cb1_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/4036005589_a93f77e550_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/4036005591_50315df8b2_o.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14366143@N03/sets/72157622514158495/

I'm hungry! Pass me the bui meen.... Argh - I'm such a sucker for OTT consumer marketing.

Brain: "Oh look, noodles!"
Stomach: "Gimme!"

Olgivy/Saatchi etc.: "rubbing hands with glee"

BTW - always wondered. Is the MTR planning to incorporate LCD monitors into the carriages ala new KCR stock? I noticed that trains in Shenzhen have them.

Please give me some feedback.
Thanks

Tokyo system is the place you want to look at.
JR has implemented the "women carriage only," and from what I heard, it's pretty successful.
I believe it's either the first or last carriage, so JR can manage to have female passengers to board and alight without running into male for the most part.

I don't know is it necessary to implement the same system in HK, since crime against female in MTR isn't that outrageous, like it was in Tokyo.

Police does patrol in the MTR, if something happens, be active to report the crime. It is the best way to fight out the criminal rather than providing same gender carriage.

^^ Why there are aerials on the floor?

So you can see where you can get some of their noodles! :nuts:

Please give me some feedback.
Thanks
You also might want to look at the Mexico City Metro which has women-only carriages during rush hour. They also recently instituted women-only buses on the MetroBus express routes. From what I understand it's popular with women.

If a society has issues with inappropriate public behavior towards women by men, then by all means it's a good idea to separate them.

Looks like a coordinated cup noodle campaign on the MTR and also trams!

新輕鐵列車將以新形象示人
wHvnzq-5fYo

I remember a long time ago when they were white and orange... good to see MTR is taking care of the light rail as well, and not just all focused on their heavily used system.

The new colour scheme looks really sharp, but the problem with white is it gets really very easily, and become ugly... unless MTR is spending more resources to clean the carriage body.

Some footage of train doors not closing

dx4IxIYXV2Y

^^ Possibly someone is holding the door at the other carriage causing this door not closing. It doesn't necessarily mean the train is malfunction.

^^ Possibly someone is holding the door at the other carriage causing this door not closing. It doesn't necessarily mean the train is malfunction.

It doesn't look like it-the train doors don't even close the first time around for both occasions in that video but do the second time. I'm not sure about how exactly the HK rolling stock works, but if you hold a door on another car, it shouldn't affect the operation of the rest of the doors.

^^
In Warsaw irritated train drivers sometimes are opening and closing the doors a few times to prevent people from standing against them. :)

MTR passengers taken for ride in Octopus fare glitch
12 November 2009
The Standard

Human error caused about 2,000 Octopus card holders to be overcharged by a total of HK$5,000 while taking a trip on the MTR West Rail from November 6-10.

The MTR Corp found that its automatic fare collection system overcharged some passengers 20 cents to HK$2, instead of allowing them to enjoy a cash rebate promotion.

Those taking the West Rail after taking the Light Rail or MTR buses are affected, but not those whose West Rail trip was cheaper than the Light Rail or bus trip.

``For example, if the West Rail trip cost HK$3.40 and the Light Rail cost the client HK$3.70, the client would not enjoy the cash rebate of the HK$3.70 and lose 30 cents instead,'' the MTR spokesman explained.

He said the discrepancy was caused by human error during the programming process to upgrade the system to offer planned fare promotion.

The company apologized for the error.

A list of the affected Octopus card numbers will be available today on the MTR website, www.mtr.com.hk. Those affected may register their cards at special counters at Tuen Mun, Siu Hong, Tin Shui Wai, Long Ping, Yuen Long and Kam Sheung Road stations starting from today to next Wednesday, from 7am to 10pm.

They may have a free single journey ticket for each journey that was incorrectly deducted as compensation. Passengers may also call the MTR hotline on 2881-8888.

``This is a serious matter, and we have launched a thorough review of the process involved in upgrading the Automatic Fare Collection system software,'' said head of operations Choi Tak-tsan.

Legislator Wong Kwok-hing, of the New Territories East constituency, said the incident again showed the unreliability of electronic money.

``We are urging the government to have a penalty system for either MTR or the Octopus card company if there are any more wrong deductions,'' Wong said.

MTR passengers taken for ride in Octopus fare glitch
12 November 2009
The Standard

Legislator Wong Kwok-hing, of the New Territories East constituency, said the incident again showed the unreliability of electronic money.

``We are urging the government to have a penalty system for either MTR or the Octopus card company if there are any more wrong deductions,'' Wong said.

What kind of BS is this guy trying to pull ... yes, it cost people some money but this isn't a bank or the stock market. If electronic money is so unreliable, then the world would be set back several decades. And a "wrong deduction" incident for the MTR only occurs about once or twice every year and it is instantly reported and corrected - shows that the MTR is honest. Penalizing the MTR for such a small non-fatal glitch would send a message that if a company screws up a little, the government might ostracize them.

What kind of BS is this guy trying to pull ... yes, it cost people some money but this isn't a bank or the stock market. If electronic money is so unreliable, then the world would be set back several decades. And a "wrong deduction" incident for the MTR only occurs about once or twice every year and it is instantly reported and corrected - shows that the MTR is honest. Penalizing the MTR for such a small non-fatal glitch would send a message that if a company screws up a little, the government might ostracize them.

HK has the highest standard, and error is not allowed.

HK has the highest standard, and error is not allowed.

How does this explain Tung Chee Wah and Donald Tsang? :tongue3:

How does this explain Tung Chee Wah and Donald Tsang? :tongue3:

We have higher standard than what they can perform.

How does this explain Tung Chee Wah and Donald Tsang? :tongue3:

We have higher standard than what they can perform.

Well that just sounds like a lovely reason for continuing to keep him in office. LOL anyways...well let's see if the penalty system actually gets through the bureaucratic red tape first and then re-evaluate

MTR takes cultural track
The Standard
Friday, November 20, 2009

Jordan is to spearhead a multi-million dollar network-wide move to transform the city's coldly-efficient MTR stations into areas akin to art galleries.

System chiefs say passenger feedback has convinced them of the need to move away from the use of metallic materials to soften the station experience as the MTR becomes more than just a people-moving operation.

Jordan has been chosen as the first to get a HK$2 million makeover because it is a typical first-generation station with diverse traffic.

Hi-tech and green concepts will be incorporated in the renovation project scheduled for completion next January.

MTR Corporation's chief of operation Morris Cheung Siu-wa said the MTR's role has evolved from just an efficient form of public transportation into a multifunctional service provider over the past three decades.

"Younger passengers, particularly secondary school students, are looking for more open, environment-friendly, lifestyle-orientated and interesting stations," Cheung said.

One idea generated by youngsters in focus groups, and still being looked at, is transparent ceilings for trains. The use of metallic materials, signifying efficiency, will fade out and warmer and more welcoming designs will be introduced.

Customer service centers will become more spacious. Glass panels will be lowered and LCD monitors will be installed to provide a new multi-media platform for easier interaction between staff and passengers. Stone facades as well as energy-saving light bulbs will be used in the newly designed center.

Another initiative will be LCD displays next to the ticket gates to provide real-time updates on train services, general information and promotions.

Ergonomically designed seats and resting ledges placed next to art displays on the platform will create a sophisticated environment resembling that of an art gallery, Cheung said.

Reactions from passengers will be studied and taken on board.

More stations will undergo renovations in 2010, with Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong targeted.

The designs will be modified to match the special characteristics and theme color of each station.

Cheung added that screen door installations will be completed at eight elevated stations by 2011.

(2004-04-22)無線電視-香港名牌(地鐵公司 - Part 1)
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(2004-04-22)無線電視-香港名牌(地鐵公司 - Part 2)
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Arson @ MTR 2004
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無線電視-港鐵拉近東西貫全城 1
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無線電視-港鐵拉近東西貫全城 2
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無線電視-港鐵拉近東西貫全城 7
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無線電視-港鐵拉近東西貫全城 8
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MTR takes cultural track
The Standard
Friday, November 20, 2009

One idea generated by youngsters in focus groups, and still being looked at, is transparent ceilings for trains. The use of metallic materials, signifying efficiency, will fade out and warmer and more welcoming designs will be introduced.

I like the concept, but since most of the MTR is underground anyways- you would be staring at the catenary cables and the ceiling...

I like the concept, but since most of the MTR is underground anyways- you would be staring at the catenary cables and the ceiling...

Not if it is the KCR (I mean the East Rail and West Rail), Tung Chung Line, Airport Express and the Disney line, 50% or more of the alignment is open air.

(2004-04-22)無線電視-香港名牌(地鐵公司 - Part 1)
SbUXpjPMUWU

Whoa - the computer sim for the train simulator they use looks a lot like the HK routes for BVE!

Trapped tourist endures platform gap ordeal
The Standard
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

http://the-sun.on.cc/cnt/news/20091124/photo/1124-00407-020b1.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/cnt/news/20091124/photo/1124-00407-020b2.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/cnt/news/20091124/photo/1124-00407-020b3.jpg

Thousands of MTR users were either stranded or forced to take alternative transport at lunchtime yesterday after an elderly tourist got her leg stuck in the platform gap at Admiralty station.

It was the second such incident in two weeks. The woman, a Briton surnamed Downey, 75, was helping her husband, who was using a walking stick, out of the Chai Wan-bound train around 12.50pm when she stepped into the 10-centimeter gap and let out a scream of pain.

Other passengers quickly pressed the emergency button as the woman tried in vain to free her leg. By the time emergency services arrived, her knee was beginning to swell and turn red.

Downey was given oxygen as the firemen used emergency equipment to widen the gap. It took six to seven minutes before the woman was freed and taken to Queen Mary Hospital where she was treated before being discharged in the afternoon.

Train services between Sheung Wan and Wan Chai were suspended for 25 minutes, resuming at 1.15pm.

"The gap was not too large. It was my fault. I thought I was stepping onto the platform but I wasn't," Downey said.

Her husband is a former British civil servant and the couple had spent five years in Hong Kong 20 years ago. They returned last week to visit friends and have since used the MTR frequently. Downey said they had visited a friend and were returning to their hotel when the accident happened.

Several elderly passengers have, in the past, complained about the wide gaps at several stations, p
articularly at Kowloon Tong.

But an MTR spokesman said gap fillers had been installed at all stations along the Island, Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O and Tsuen Wan lines as well as the Airport Express.

The fillers can hold the weight of an adult but cannot completely fill the gap as a space is necessary to accommodate trains in motion, he added.

Extendable gap fillers have been installed at Lo Wu station in a trial scheme. If successful, it will be expanded to cover other East Rail line stations.

On November 10, a 79-year-old woman broke her right foot when she stepped into a gap at Mong Kok East station.

By airsupplydd from dchome :

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Nice pics of WR depot. As a child I had trapped my foot at a light rail platform in Yuen Long, but I quickly got it out.

MTR's subsidiary, MTM (Metro Trains Melbourne) starts operation in Melbourne tomorrow!
Exciting times ahead!

Station gaps cause an injury every 2 days
3 December 2009
South China Morning Post

Every two days a passenger on the MTR system is injured by having a foot or leg caught in the gap between the station platform and the train, says Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng.

Nearly 30 per cent, or 202 cases, took place on platforms equipped with platform-gap fillers.

In 2007, 66 of the accidents took place on platforms equipped with platform-gap fillers. The figure was 70 last year and 66 in the first 10 months of this year.

Cheng said that when studying the feasibility of fitting automatic platform gates on platforms along the East Rail Line, MTR Corporation officials had found that gaps were relatively wide at some stations with curved platforms.

Installing automatic platform gates might make it harder to see the wide platform gaps, she said, and therefore the corporation first had to conduct a trial on the mechanical gap-filler system.

The trial of the mechanical gap-filler system, which was staged at Lo Wu station, ended in October, and the MTR was now analysing test data to assess its performance and implications for train services, Cheng said. A comprehensive review is due to be completed by the end of this year or early next year.

Cheng said the MTR had decided to fit automatic platform gates at eight above-ground stations, despite it being more difficult to fit the gates at such stations.

The stations are Kwai Fong, Kwai Hing, Tsuen Wan, Kowloon Bay, Ngau Tau Kok, Kwun Tong, Chai Wan and Heng Fa Chuen.

Installation will be completed by the end of 2011.

She said the MTR had also engaged 500 staff during peak hours across all station platforms to help passengers with boarding and alighting, and to maintain order.

On November 23, a 75-year-old British tourist was injured when she stepped from her carriage into a 10cm gap between her train and the platform at Admiralty MTR station and became trapped.

MTR TVC 1994
LXbNjPGMs90

Station gaps cause an injury every 2 days
3 December 2009
South China Morning Post

Every two days a passenger on the MTR system is injured by having a foot or leg caught in the gap between the station platform and the train, says Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng.

Installing automatic platform gates might make it harder to see the wide platform gaps, she said, and therefore the corporation first had to conduct a trial on the mechanical gap-filler system.


Seriously? Wow...this doesn't even happen here with all the trips taken here...

Speaking of the mechanical gap filling system-check out Union Square's version. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NYCS_IRT_LexAve_14St.jpg

Seriously? Wow...this doesn't even happen here with all the trips taken here...

Speaking of the mechanical gap filling system-check out Union Square's version. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NYCS_IRT_LexAve_14St.jpg

Ye, the system in Union Square is pretty cool, especially when you see the train swing by those corner perfectly without hitting the platform.
But as it ages... the grate thing works pretty scarily and extremely dirty.

I think the curvature at Union Square is probably much tighter than those along East Rail, i.e. wider platform.

http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac42/ctp026/K13.png

http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac42/ctp026/K13.png

I feel like I've seen this picture like in the original MTR thread a few years back...lol

Does anyone have photos of this gap-filler in Sheung Shui?

World first for MTR in using thermal imaging for repairs
2 December 2009
SCMP

The MTR Corporation has become the first company in the world to use thermal imaging technology for railway maintenance.

The Thermovision Camera System was one of the machines on show when the MTR Corp opened the doors of its E-Lab in Tsuen Wan to the media yesterday.

E-Lab, which came into operation this year, is one of the largest railway-linked electronic laboratories in the world.

Its 150 engineers and technical support staff are responsible for the maintenance of all electronic equipment used throughout the MTR network, including the Airport Express and Light Rail lines.

Dr Jacob Kam Chak-pui, chief of operations engineering for MTR Corp, explained the usefulness of the camera in relation to the electronic cards - some as complex as minicomputers - in use throughout the system in air conditioning, train door operations and communication systems.

When the cards develop problems, the thermal camera is one machine used to inspect them and diagnose the trouble. Based on the principle that electric currents generate heat, the machine creates images that indicate a range of temperatures using different colours, Kam said.

When a working electronic card is placed next to a malfunctioning one under the camera, defects can be identified easily by spotting the differences in colour. This method is seventy-five per cent faster than the old method, which involved checking voltages at different points on the cards, Kam said.

Before the work was consolidated at the Tsuen Wan depot, electronics maintenance was done at various depots across the network.

"We concentrate [our work] in Tsuen Wan mainly to pool our expertise, resources and experiences in order to increase the reliability of the entire network," said Kam.

E-Lab also has a temperature chamber that recreates the high temperatures at which electronic cards normally operate. As the temperature in the chamber increases, a malfunction can be identified if the card placed inside stops working before reaching 60 or 70 degrees Celsius.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4190500306_f1ca123e20_o.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chinglau/4190500306/

Station gaps cause an injury every 2 days
3 December 2009
South China Morning Post

Every two days a passenger on the MTR system is injured by having a foot or leg caught in the gap between the station platform and the train, says Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng.

Nearly 30 per cent, or 202 cases, took place on platforms equipped with platform-gap fillers.

In 2007, 66 of the accidents took place on platforms equipped with platform-gap fillers. The figure was 70 last year and 66 in the first 10 months of this year.

Cheng said that when studying the feasibility of fitting automatic platform gates on platforms along the East Rail Line, MTR Corporation officials had found that gaps were relatively wide at some stations with curved platforms.

Installing automatic platform gates might make it harder to see the wide platform gaps, she said, and therefore the corporation first had to conduct a trial on the mechanical gap-filler system.

The trial of the mechanical gap-filler system, which was staged at Lo Wu station, ended in October, and the MTR was now analysing test data to assess its performance and implications for train services, Cheng said. A comprehensive review is due to be completed by the end of this year or early next year.

Cheng said the MTR had decided to fit automatic platform gates at eight above-ground stations, despite it being more difficult to fit the gates at such stations.

The stations are Kwai Fong, Kwai Hing, Tsuen Wan, Kowloon Bay, Ngau Tau Kok, Kwun Tong, Chai Wan and Heng Fa Chuen.

Installation will be completed by the end of 2011.

She said the MTR had also engaged 500 staff during peak hours across all station platforms to help passengers with boarding and alighting, and to maintain order.

On November 23, a 75-year-old British tourist was injured when she stepped from her carriage into a 10cm gap between her train and the platform at Admiralty MTR station and became trapped.

This, inspite of the sing-song, "Please, mind the gap!" Really, are there other viable solutions to these problems? 10 centimeters seem to be a bit too wide.

This, inspite of the sing-song, "Please, mind the gap!" Really, are there other viable solutions to these problems? 10 centimeters seem to be a bit too wide.

The gap is generally smaller and such large gaps only occur where the station platform is curved, such as at Admiralty.

MTR Press Release:
New Light Rail Vehicles Commence Passenger Service (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-145-E.pdf)
MTR Enhances Train Service for Christmas and New Year (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-146-E.pdf)
New Entrances (to iSquare) at MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Opened (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-147-E.pdf)

Driving school fears invasion of trucks from building of railway
23 December 2009
SCMP

A motoring school fears learner drivers' safety will be put at risk when a loading dock for trucks carrying construction waste is opened near its office.

The Hong Kong School of Motoring is also worried that demand for its services will fall when more than 100 trucks a day compete for road space with the learners when work begins in 2011.

The trucks will be going to a barge bay near the motoring school to be loaded with waste from work on the South Island Line.

The move is another blow to the school's Hong Kong Island branch in Ap Lei Chau, which has seen enrolments drop 18 per cent to 8,400 last year since it left its more accessible Wong Chuk Hang site in 2006 to make way for the MTR extension between South Horizon and Admiralty.

The school's chief executive, Taurus Leung Ying-kwan, said it was not just a business issue.

"Small-size learner vehicles and motorbikes do not travel alongside big trucks under international protocols because, given the trucks' size, drivers are not always aware of our existence and there will be safety concerns," he said.

The school agreed to move to Ap Lei Chau three years ago, which was the only available site at the time. But space for learning and testing, at 2km of road, is inadequate. The site is also split into two areas.

The Ap Lei Chau school's market share on Hong Kong Island fell from 80 per cent in 2006 to 70 per cent last year, although its passing rate remained above 70 per cent.

"The government said three years ago it would find a new site for us soon; now three years has passed and it hasn't even come close to have some suggestions," Leung said.

The school has been eyeing seven sites in Chai Wan. Most of them are now used as temporary car parks, but the Transport and Housing Bureau has said those sites are already reserved for other uses.

A bureau spokesman said the number of trucks that will travel on Lee Nam Road will be minimised because a conveyor belt would be built in a tube to transfer material directly from the rail link's worksites to the dumping ground.

The bureau promised to continue to look for alternative locations to house the driving school. It said contingency measures would be introduced to help reduce the effect of the trucks on the school, indicating chances were slim that the school would be able to move out of Ap Lei Chau when work on the link begins in 2011. The long-awaited seven-kilometre extension, designed to ease Southern District's peak-hour traffic, is expected to be finished in 2015.

(2009-11-27)TVB News-MTR unveils Yaumatei-Whampoa plans
hWsLaGSFjnc

(2009-11-27)TVB News-MTR unveils Yaumatei-Whampoa plans
hWsLaGSFjncA very good idea...Whampoa is massive and the development will make a big difference.

Wonder if they will extend it beyond Whampoa tho...would it be crazy to imagine an extension across the bay to Kai Tak?

Cheers, m

From Whampoa, passengers can connect to the Shatin - Central link to Kai Tak.

MTR Corp JV To Operate Extension Of Beijing Metro Line 4
30 December 2009

HONG KONG - (Dow Jones)- MTR Corp. (MTRJY) said Wednesday its Beijing MTR Corp. joint venture has signed an agreement to operate the Daxing line of the Beijing metro for 10 years after the line is completed in 2010.

The 22-kilometer Daxing line is an extension of Beijing Metro Line 4, which is already operated by Beijing MTR Corp., a joint venture between MTR Corp., Beijing Infrastructure Investment and Beijing Capital Group.

The joint venture will have the option to renew the agreement to operate the Daxing line, the Hong Kong rail operator said in a statement.

Passport denied for public transport
2 January 2010
The Australian

Why do our state governments find it so hard to upgrade their ticketing systems?

FEW things seem as difficult for governments in this country to achieve as implementing new transport ticketing systems.

NSW has given up on a combined smartcard for now and Victoria's troubled myki system has proved no exception.

This week's promised start-up turned into a fiasco, not all that surprising given the chequered history of the project.

The state Labor government announced midweek that instead of a full beginning by year's end, myki would only begin on trains, with buses and trams to follow in the first six months of 2010.

The system was already more than two years late and hundreds of millions over budget.

The staggered start is just the latest in a string of disappointments.

Myki is supposed to be a state-of-the-art multimodal system that automatically calculates and deducts the correct fare from a user's card.

It was designed from scratch despite similar multimodal systems operating effectively in Hong Kong and several other cities, including Singapore and London.

The Brumby government points to the complexities in catering for trains, buses and trams as an excuse for its late introduction.

It's a poor excuse when you consider that Hong Kong's Octopus card, which has been around since 1997, is also used for trams, trains and buses along with convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, on-street parking meters, car parks, and other point-of-sale applications such as service stations and vending machines.

Many Melbourne commuters use a combination of trams, trains and buses to get to and from work, so myki's takeup rate is expected to be slow.

Perhaps that's a good thing for the operators, because glitches are already appearing with the system operating in train-only mode.

There have been reports of 300 customers being incorrectly informed that $155 would be charged to their credit cards and passengers have told of problems swiping cards. This has further undermined faith in the beleaguered system, which has become almost a byword for bungling.

As disastrous as the myki project has been, it has at least got further down the road to implementation than Sydney's Tcard system which was scrapped by the NSW government in 2007.

Melbourne's current Metcard system also suffered technical issues and glitches during its introduction, although it eventually became a reliable and relatively trouble-free system.

Public Transport User's Association president Daniel Bowen says new ticketing systems are notoriously trouble-prone in Australia. ``They all seem to fall foul of glitches. Sydney never made it beyond the early stages,'' Bowen says.

``However Perth and Brisbane have introduced their systems with relatively little fuss so it's not really clear why myki has taken so long and been so troublesome.

``It was really a bad decision to roll it out on only part of the network. Melbourne has had a multimodal ticketing system for 25 years and to throw that out the window, even temporarily, for the sake of meeting a commitment just seems a really foolish thing to do.''

So far, the bill for myki has hit $1.35 billion, which includes 10 years of operating costs, and the only result so far seems to be confusion among the travelling public.

The Victorian Government has already turned to Hong Kong in selecting metro train operator MTR to run Melbourne's unreliable train network.

Perhaps it should have done the same when it came to selecting a new ticketing system by opting for a modified version of Hong Kong's excellent Octopus card, with which you can even shop.

Passport denied for public transport
2 January 2010
The Australian

Why do our state governments find it so hard to upgrade their ticketing systems?
[...]
The Brumby government points to the complexities in catering for trains, buses and trams as an excuse for its late introduction.

It's a poor excuse when you consider that Hong Kong's Octopus card, which has been around since 1997, is also used for trams, trains and buses along with convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, on-street parking meters, car parks, and other point-of-sale applications such as service stations and vending machines.
[...]

I was wondering about exactly this for Stockholm when it kept getting delayed time and time again. It's still not up and running fully, a year after introduction I can't even buy a season-pass on the new system at stations!

One thing I do kinda like tho is seeing the MTR logo every day :) To be fair I haven't really noticed anything different since MTR took over operations here.

One of the big reasons for the success of the Hong Kong Octopus system was that the main driving force behind it were the 2 railway companies, (not the government). The needs of the KCR in particular with their requirement for monthly tickets, LRT fares, first class processing, buses, etc etc meant that the system was always going to be able to incorporate a wide range of fare processing abilities. The MTR were also very smart in getting 2 of the main bus operators on board at the beginning, so the system was designed and built with multi-modal functionality from day one.

The Hong Kong government was not involved in the design at all, they were only involved in some financial regulatory issues.

The MTR it has to be said had a brilliant vision for the Octopus system back in the early 90's and a team of very capable people to see it through.

Stuart

Passport denied for public transport
2 January 2010
The Australian
The system was already more than two years late and hundreds of millions over budget.

The staggered start is just the latest in a string of disappointments.

Hey-sounds like what happens all the time with the New York City Subway!

The Victorian Government has already turned to Hong Kong in selecting metro train operator MTR to run Melbourne's unreliable train network.

Perhaps it should have done the same when it came to selecting a new ticketing system by opting for a modified version of Hong Kong's excellent Octopus card, with which you can even shop.
Muahaha...my dream of MTR's worldwide domination is getting more true! :)

10,000 hit as East Rail grinds to peak-hour halt
The Standard
Friday, January 22, 2010

Some 10,000 passengers were affected when the East Rail line was brought to a halt by a technical problem during peak hours last night.
A signal error led to the train service being suspended for an hour from 7.20pm. This marked the first time the whole of the East Rail service was disrupted for a full hour.

The MTR Corp arranged shuttle buses for passengers who were stranded inside the stations. But even when the rail service resumed at 8.20pm, train frequencies had not returned to normal and passengers faced a longer wait for trains.

Many passengers were unhappy about the delays. A man at the Tai Wo station said the train he boarded suddenly stopped and the driver announced that the delay was due to a signal failure.

He said many passengers left the train after the announcement that there were shuttle buses available.

But many passengers complained about the shuttle bus service after waiting about 20 minutes outside the Mong Kok East MTR station.

Wendy Ma, 35, a clerk, heard the announcement about a faulty signal at the Tai Po Market station but said no further information was given.

"They [the MTRC] said it would offer shuttle buses, but didn't say when. I didn't know how long I would have to wait, and I was in a rush to attend a class," she said. "They could have given a clearer announcement and have had better arrangements."

At the Sha Tin MTR station, Chong Yuen-ting, 23, said even when the MTR announced a faulty signal, other passengers kept entering the train.

"It felt very stuffy," she said. "After 10 minutes, I saw people leaving. I was angry because the arrangements were really bad. I just stood inside the coach for more than 20 minutes, and staff did not tell us what was going on."

MTR head of operations Choi Tak-tsan said the cause was a problem in the East Rail's digital transmissions. Technicians were despatched to examine and repair the system and train services were suspended as a safety precaution.

More than 30 emergency shuttle buses were arranged during the suspension of service, Choi said.

Hong Kong KCR TV ad 1986

aBa1JTNTXdQ

MTR delays blamed on computer error
23 January 2010
South China Morning Post

A blunder by a data transmission operator was blamed for a shutdown of MTR trains on Thursday night that stranded 10,000 passengers.

The operator made a mistake while running a computer program as he inspected a data transmission network for the East Rail Line, disabling the centralised monitoring of trains along the line, said Dr Jacob Kam Chak-pui, head of operations engineering for MTR Corporation.

"Since we could no longer centrally monitor the trains, we decided to halt the service out of concern for safety," Kam said.

Train services from Hung Hom to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau were suspended from 7.20pm to 8.20pm.

Passengers crowded ticketing windows at various stations, complaining about refund arrangements and yelling at station staff. The company arranged for buses to transport passengers, and long queues to board the vehicles quickly formed.

Legislator Andrew Cheng Kar-foo said it was unacceptable that there was no emergency plan in place to fix computer problems more quickly. "It's puzzling that no software was available to correct the mistake, with MTR often boasting of its 'excellent' services," Cheng said.

The government should introduce rules imposing penalties when train delays lasted longer than eight minutes, he said.

The operator who made the mistake worked for a supplier of the MTR Corp's data transmission network, Kam said. The MTR Corp would tighten rules on external experts visiting its facilities and set up a standby control station, he said.

"We'll create a standby work station to allow the central control room to continue functioning even when the data network is faulty," he said. The shutdown is among the most serious disruptions in recent memory on the MTR network.

The Transport Department said late on Thursday it had asked the MTR Corp to submit a report on the case as soon as possible.

On August 1 last year, about 1,200 passengers were affected when train services between Mong Kok East and East Tsim Sha Tsui shut down for 40 minutes after a transformer station at Ho Man Tin broke down.

From Whampoa, passengers can connect to the Shatin - Central link to Kai Tak.the north end, yes...

Im thinking of going from Whampoa to the other end of Kai Tak...in the middle of the harbour....then onwards

yes, yes, it is a crazy idea but I said that already. :)

Cheers, m

Pok Fu Lam anger over route for trucks moving MTR waste
30 January 2010
South China Morning Post

Parents and other residents of Pok Fu Lam will protest today against the relocation of a barge-loading site that will handle soil and rock excavated for construction of the MTR's South Island Line. The work will mean up to 300 dumper trucks a day plying the area's roads.

The MTR Corporation plans to move the loading site from Kellett Bay, near the Wah Kwai Estate, to Telegraph Bay, near Cyberport and several luxury residential estates including Residence Bel-Air and Baguio Villa. The barging point will handle part of the 1.5 million cubic metres of soil and rock.

About 100 residents will gather at the barging point today demanding it be moved elsewhere.

They say the new point is farther away from the construction site than the original location, which means the trucks will have to travel farther.

Ronald Chan Ngok-pang, the area's district councillor, said: "The trucks will have to travel two kilometres farther every day to the construction site, and that creates more pollution and safety issues." He will lead two more protests outside the Legislative Council next week.

The parent-teacher association of the Independent Schools Foundation Academy - one of four private schools in the neighbourhood - said a sudden increase in the number of trucks would pose a danger to pupils who walk, jog or cycle along the roads. "Our youngest pupil is just five years old," Edna Wong of the association said. "The roads are narrow and windy, and the trucks always move at high speed."

David Kidd, the chairman of the board of Kellett School, a British international school, said it was strongly opposed to the proposal.

Not only would the trucks worsen the traffic congestion, the air and noise pollution they caused would affect teaching, and use of the playgrounds.

A traffic bottleneck at the intersection of Pok Fu Lam Road and Victoria Road, in front of Kellett Primary School, would heighten the impact of these problems, he said.

More than 9,000 residents in the area have signed a petition demanding that the MTR Corporation move the barging point elsewhere.

The residents say the barging point at Telegraph Bay is already being used by the Drainage Services Department for a flood-prevention project. More than 100 trucks pass through the area every day.

The MTR Corp says it will only use the site after the department finishes its work early next year. Up to 300 trucks will be deployed at peak hours, but the average will be about 200.

"We believe this site is better than Kellett Bay, as it affects fewer households and the connecting roads are also less busy," a spokeswoman said.

The only road connecting the Kellett Bay barging point to the construction site is the dual-lane Tin Wan Praya Road, which is already busy with buses and trucks from a concrete plant and a sewage treatment plant. The trucks will now carry their loads to Wong Chuk Hang via Sha Wan Drive, Victoria Road and Shek Pai Wan Road.

Some residents suggested trucks should use separate routes to and from the barging point. They said departing trucks should use Cyberport Road, passing Bel-Air on the Peak before turning into Victoria Road. However, residents of Bel-Air on the Peak are not expected to support that.

The MTR said it would consider all proposals and would widen the affected roads and junctions.

機場快斥千萬換新裝

http://news.mingpao.com/20100202/_02GS004_.jpg

【明報專訊】自1998年投入服務的機場快，迄今為逾億人提供機場及市區接駁服務，平均每日有約3萬名乘客量。港鐵車務營運總管張少華表示，將為機場快換上「新裝」，由本來藍色主調設計，改為湖水綠及白色，希望為設計添上活力和現代化感覺，整個換「新裝」計劃將涉逾1000萬元。

張少華指自1月底起，機場快已陸續為市區預辦登機大堂更換新設計，包括把標誌上「機場快」四字由黑色改為綠色、在穿梭巴士等候區增添電子顯示屏，以及翻新列車內的地氈、座椅等配合新設計。

擬旺季加強班次


按目前進度，機場快將在今年年底全面以綠白兩色登場，所有服務員工也會換上更有活力的新服裝。本月中便是農曆新年，張少華預計，屆時外遊及抵港遊客人次將會提升，機場快正計劃在旅遊旺季加強班次，及加強宣傳目前提供的二、三、四人同行優惠套餐，配合不同旅客的需要。

You may have noticed a change in the format of this thread and the number of posts has skyrocketed. The Subways and Urban Transport section is being reorganized, and each city will have a standard thread name much like in the World Development News Forums. The thread has also merged with 2 other predecessor threads about the MTR back from the day when threads are locked after 500 posts. So now this thread goes back to 2004. Enjoy!

^^ I seriously hate the new logo. You can't read the thinner words from a distance!!!

You may have noticed a change in the format of this thread and the number of posts has skyrocketed. The Subways and Urban Transport section is being reorganized, and each city will have a standard thread name much like in the World Development News Forums. The thread has also merged with 2 other predecessor threads about the MTR back from the day when threads are locked after 500 posts. So now this thread goes back to 2004. Enjoy!

Can we change the title from "Subway" to something else, like "Mass Transit Railway (MTR)?
"Subway" is just so not a HK term for the same thing, but an underground walking instead.

Can we change the title from "Subway" to something else, like "Mass Transit Railway (MTR)?
"Subway" is just so not a HK term for the same thing, but an underground walking instead.

I think the intention is to have standardized naming during the reorganization. Let me take it up and understand further with the relevant mods in this section.

I'm sure they are fine with it, as Vancouver has SkyTrain, Paris has RER and Metro, etc.

Agreed that there is a need to have it changed to HONG KONG | MTR

I'm sure they are fine with it, as Vancouver has SkyTrain, Paris has RER and Metro, etc.

Agreed that there is a need to have it changed to HONG KONG | MTR

Skytrain is not even the whole thing. It is managed by an organization called by Translink. But there are lines called Expo line, Millennium line, Canada line with underground stations.

Skytrain is not even the whole thing. It is managed by an organization called by Translink. But there are lines called Expo line, Millennium line, Canada line with underground stations.

The thread name itself does not have to reflect the operator. Why would I not know my own city?

In the case of MTR, you would only call it the MTR because that's how everyone refers to the system as. Same with Paris and Metro/RER, Vancouver with SkyTrain (reference to the rapid transit lines), London and Underground, etc.

The thread name itself does not have to reflect the operator. Why would I not know my own city?

In the case of MTR, you would only call it the MTR because that's how everyone refers to the system as. Same with Paris and Metro/RER, Vancouver with SkyTrain (reference to the rapid transit lines), London and Underground, etc.

Hong Kong people do not even call it the MTR. When they take the subway, they call it the subway. When they take the railway, they call it the west railway or the east railway, depending on which line they take.
Now, just because of the MTR and KCR merged together to form a new entity, that does not mean the people have to change the habit.

Hong Kong people do not even call it the MTR. When they take the subway, they call it the subway. When they take the railway, they call it the west railway or the east railway, depending on which line they take.
Now, just because of the MTR and KCR merged together to form a new entity, that does not mean the people have to change the habit.

In Cantonese, I would refer it to the subway, but not so sure in English. Either way, my point from the beginning is that if people wanted to change the thread name, they can suggest it and it will most likely be approved.

EricIsHim said upthread that, in Hong Kong, the word "subway" (in English) means a pedestrian underpass, as in Britain.

Hong Kong people do not even call it the MTR. When they take the subway, they call it the subway. When they take the railway, they call it the west railway or the east railway, depending on which line they take.
Now, just because of the MTR and KCR merged together to form a new entity, that does not mean the people have to change the habit.

Absolutely, the old Chinese name for the MTR is literally "subway," *EDIT: as transliterated into American terms but is MTR in HK terms* (地鐵) and MTR is an English name, hence HKers use the Chinese name.

^^ If you read and/or listen to the English media in HK, or talk to the English speaking locals, all of them refer the system as "MTR," not "subway." It isn't a direct translation.

^^ If you read and/or listen to the English media in HK, or talk to the English speaking locals, all of them refer the system as "MTR," not "subway." It isn't a direct translation.

Precisely my point.

Since the forum language in this part of SSC is English I'd prefer MTR as well.

Thread renamed. Enjoy!

http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr280/ericishim/2010%20Hong%20Kong/CIMG2546.jpg

Safety in smaller numbers
The Standard
Friday, February 12, 2010

It's a tiny fraction compared to the millions of rides recorded annually on the MTR.

There were 195 accidents related to the platform gaps last year, and that's 4 percent less than the 2008 figure.

But just so there'd even be fewer unlucky riders this year, a Chinese University psychology department associate professor took the time to analyze the accidents.

His findings: four of every five occurred after people misjudged their footing because they were either trying to rush onto the train or were being blocked by others.

The remaining 20 percent happened after passengers lost their balance or because they were pushed, carrying bulky luggage or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

And more accidents - 70 percent - happened when boarding the train.

Fortunately though, there were no major injuries resulting from the accidents.

Hong Kong people do not even call it the MTR. When they take the subway, they call it the subway. When they take the railway, they call it the west railway or the east railway, depending on which line they take.
Now, just because of the MTR and KCR merged together to form a new entity, that does not mean the people have to change the habit.

We call it MTR in fact any rail transport is called MTR whether its underground, surface rail or airport express trains.

We call it MTR in fact any rail transport is called MTR whether its underground, surface rail or airport express trains.

Among the locals we differentiate it a bit. We don't call Airport Express MTR. It's a different term in Cantonese.

We don't call Airport Express MTR. It's a different term in Cantonese.

Direct Translation: Airport Fast Line.

Among the locals we differentiate it a bit. We don't call Airport Express MTR. It's a different term in Cantonese.

I have no clue since I'm not Chinese. But that's the only exception. Non Chinese HK residents call it Airport Express while other are just plain MTR.

I have no clue since I'm not Chinese. But that's the only exception. Non Chinese HK residents call it Airport Express while other are just plain MTR.

Even following the KCR-MTR merger, the old terminology is still sticking, and is expected to stick for quite some time until the new generation flushes it out. The buses still use the old naming convention, with the K suffix denoting connection to the KCR line and the M suffix denoting connection to the MTR line. These will likely stay for a long time.

The Chinese name for the MTR has also changed, even though the English name is still the same.

Even following the KCR-MTR merger, the old terminology is still sticking, and is expected to stick for quite some time until the new generation flushes it out. The buses still use the old naming convention, with the K suffix denoting connection to the KCR line and the M suffix denoting connection to the MTR line. These will likely stay for a long time.

The Chinese name for the MTR has also changed, even though the English name is still the same.

Buses have changed the destinations from MTR station and KCR station to simply Railway Station for all.

Honestly, "Railway Station" is quite a heavy term for internal rapid transit.

Direct Translation: Airport Fast Line.

Or just Airport Rail (機鐵)? lol

Even following the KCR-MTR merger, the old terminology is still sticking, and is expected to stick for quite some time until the new generation flushes it out.

I'm proud to not be a part of that generation :)

Buses have changed the destinations from MTR station and KCR station to simply Railway Station for all.

Honestly, "Railway Station" is quite a heavy term for internal rapid transit.

I also think it's too heavy for internal traffic. In my opinion, "MTR staion 港鐵站“ would be a proper translation for that.

Or just Airport Rail (機鐵)? lol



:)

The Chinese official name of Airport Express is "機場快線"

I love this map...

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/7267/URaT_MTR2018.jpg

Cheap MTR stays on track for elderly
18 February 2010
The Standard

The MTR Corp has extended its HK$2 elderly fare promotion for another six months, until August 31.

The scheme, which was due to expire at the end of this month, allows senior citizens to ride the MTR for a flat fare of HK$2 on Wednesdays and public holidays.

It was designed to encourage seniors to participate more in community events and activities and take advantage of special public promotions available on Wednesdays, such as at the Space Museum.

``We are pleased that the HK$2 promotion has been encouraging senior citizens to get out, with some 200,000 enjoying the flat fare each Wednesday,'' said Jeny Yeung Mei-chun, the MTRC's marketing general manager.

Yeung said the number of Elderly Octopus cardholders traveling on Wednesdays jumped more than 40 percent after the promotion was introduced. The HK$2 fare, applicable for any destination on the MTR's network except the airport, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau, is on top of concessions of up to 50 percent off regular adult fares that senior citizens already enjoy daily.

yC_2qXdWrkI

西鐵通車官方影片 KCR West Rail - Commencement Video

名片：「西鐵動力 拓新領域」。九廣西鐵於2003年12月20日正式通車，此為西鐵開幕典禮中播放的片 段。片中回顧西鐵由規劃至落成的每件大事，以及西鐵創下的多個紀錄。Film title: "West Rail - The Way Ahead" KCR West Rail started its formal service on Dec 20, 2003. This commencement video was played at the beginning on the West Rail commencement ceremony. This video also stated West Rail project milestones and records.

uYiLJ30a5CE

The extention of TST East station pedestrian tunnel

http://i.imagehost.org/0223/mtr_TST_under7.jpg
http://home.netvigator.com/~sebbo4/middleroad.jpg

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-10-013-C.pdf

http://discus.hkru.org/attachments/month_1002/20100213_aaa6bf698c9bcadd2bc7bV0TSAzOAW8f.jpg
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http://discus.hkru.org/attachments/month_1002/20100212_ee10a15418915fe498c4S5aGikOhRuCK.jpg

http://www.hkitalk.net/HKiTalk2/viewthread.php?tid=474015&extra=&page=4

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/projects/hk_newtrain.html

first pictures of the new trains

More : http://snaapa.com/Bchan2007/TSW_DAY_NIGHT

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/Bchan2007/TSW_DAY_NIGHT/DSC_0682_1.jpg

Opinion : MTR Corp has gone over the top with stream of announcements
28 February 2010
South China Morning Post

Five days a week I commute from Tung Chung to Causeway Bay on the MTR.

I am concerned about the constant verbal announcements in the carriages.

At each station there is one announcement which is repeated.

One-way, that means 12 announcements in three languages - Cantonese, Putonghua and English.

Including the return trip, that adds up to 24 announcements a day.

There is also the "Please stand back from the door" appeal and passengers are told on which side of the carriage the doors will open.

In one year this comes to 14,300 announcements.

Add the weekend trips, and that is more than 15,000 times that passengers are subjected to the same messages through the loudspeakers. I think this is excessive.

Why does the MTR Corp feel the need to announce the stations and interchanges when 95 per cent of the commuters are local people who regularly use the lines and know they have reached the station where they will alight. Even for tourists using the system, they can read the network map in the carriages.

Does the MTR management not agree that there is no need to tell passengers to stand back from the doors?

The distinctive blinking sound will suffice.

Other mass transportation systems in other large cities that also have a few million passengers a day do not have so many announcements.

When the door is about to close there is a distinctive sound and that is enough. Commuters in cities like Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris and London are not stupid.

Closer to home, the former KCR line, the East Rail, is free of all these announcements and it feels so peaceful.

I should add that when I reach my apartment block a voice announces the floors and another one says whether the lift is going up or down.

My building is managed by the MTR Corp.

D. Orelice, Tung Chung

Opinion : MTR Corp has gone over the top with stream of announcements

:nuts::nuts::nuts::nuts:

To say that there are few announcements in London is ridiculous if you've ever used it during rush hour.

Paris and Moscow have practically zero unnecessary announcements which I prefer.

Opinion : MTR Corp has gone over the top with stream of announcements
28 February 2010
South China Morning Post

Five days a week I commute from Tung Chung to Causeway Bay on the MTR.

I am concerned about the constant verbal announcements in the carriages.

At each station there is one announcement which is repeated.

One-way, that means 12 announcements in three languages - Cantonese, Putonghua and English.

Including the return trip, that adds up to 24 announcements a day.

There is also the "Please stand back from the door" appeal and passengers are told on which side of the carriage the doors will open.

In one year this comes to 14,300 announcements.

Add the weekend trips, and that is more than 15,000 times that passengers are subjected to the same messages through the loudspeakers. I think this is excessive.

Why does the MTR Corp feel the need to announce the stations and interchanges when 95 per cent of the commuters are local people who regularly use the lines and know they have reached the station where they will alight. Even for tourists using the system, they can read the network map in the carriages.

Does the MTR management not agree that there is no need to tell passengers to stand back from the doors?

The distinctive blinking sound will suffice.

Other mass transportation systems in other large cities that also have a few million passengers a day do not have so many announcements.

When the door is about to close there is a distinctive sound and that is enough. Commuters in cities like Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris and London are not stupid.

Closer to home, the former KCR line, the East Rail, is free of all these announcements and it feels so peaceful.

I should add that when I reach my apartment block a voice announces the floors and another one says whether the lift is going up or down.

My building is managed by the MTR Corp.

D. Orelice, Tung Chung

True, when I first started to take BART, they had no announcements, and when we came to an interchange station, it's just the driver talking over the microphone, usually in a manner that's both too soft in volume, and too muddled to understand.

That's much better.

If the writer can't stand it, maybe he/she can get some ear plugs.

And on the East Rail, I'm pretty sure they announce the stations, but sometimes it's so muted you can't hear anything.

The door thing, though, I can understand, it gets annoying after a while.

Since the trains are on a fixed route, I suppose it can do without all the announcements except for the terminus and interchange.

They've been doing it for years though, hardly a recent development.

I actually would find it more helpful if the buses posted route maps on the upper deck, sometimes I have no idea where I am if I'm taking a random bus to a place I seldom go to.

Those tunnels are so dull, when I lived in TST hotels I walked across them quite often to get to TST east to eat, etc... and I couldn't help but wonder how much nicer it would be if there were some shops (I know there are some towards the ends, but not throughout much of the area), or at least some advertisements to give me something to look at.

They probably don't have enough room under the street to have a very wide tunnel and put shops in there.

Those tunnels are so dull, when I lived in TST hotels I walked across them quite often to get to TST east to eat, etc... and I couldn't help but wonder how much nicer it would be if there were some shops (I know there are some towards the ends, but not throughout much of the area), or at least some advertisements to give me something to look at.

To be honest, it's cozy, functional but too dull. Although there is not enough space for the development of shops, however there should be more decoration to make it more lively and dynamic.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/4169167200_3473f3beae_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2584941584_96d82e15b3_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3458601264_6ed58ac750_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/3854377263_64d38e2fab_b.jpg

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/projects/hk_newtrain.html

first pictures of the new trains

The new trains look like Bombardier MOVIA trains.

True, when I first started to take BART, they had no announcements, and when we came to an interchange station, it's just the driver talking over the microphone, usually in a manner that's both too soft in volume, and too muddled to understand.

That's much better.

If the writer can't stand it, maybe he/she can get some ear plugs.

And on the East Rail, I'm pretty sure they announce the stations, but sometimes it's so muted you can't hear anything.

The door thing, though, I can understand, it gets annoying after a while.

Since the trains are on a fixed route, I suppose it can do without all the announcements except for the terminus and interchange.

They've been doing it for years though, hardly a recent development.

I actually would find it more helpful if the buses posted route maps on the upper deck, sometimes I have no idea where I am if I'm taking a random bus to a place I seldom go to.

^^ OK, it may be overwhelmed to do the same thing over and over again at each station.
But if one person is out of his/her mind for some reason, or a non-local doesn't know anything and get injured or even killed, those annoying things would have saved him/her. The announcement is better be safe than sorry. (In some extend, it's also liability responsibility for the MTR Corp., too.)

Some KMB buses do have a route map on-board.
But the difficulty is the same vehicle run on different routes, it is difficult to keep these maps replaced on each run.
The station announcement system is getting more popular, so I guess it has improved the ease for some people

Those tunnels are so dull, when I lived in TST hotels I walked across them quite often to get to TST east to eat, etc... and I couldn't help but wonder how much nicer it would be if there were some shops (I know there are some towards the ends, but not throughout much of the area), or at least some advertisements to give me something to look at.

They probably don't have enough room under the street to have a very wide tunnel and put shops in there.

Yes, the tunnels are very limited by the width of the street above, basically from building to building. They can't be wider than the road and build under existing building (at least not financially effective,) so no room for retails. I always feel that it's a maze down there.

Talking about worse passage, Causeway Bay between Times Square and the main station is another one.

Opinion : MTR Corp has gone over the top with stream of announcements
28 February 2010
South China Morning Post

Why does the MTR Corp feel the need to announce the stations and interchanges when 95 per cent of the commuters are local people who regularly use the lines and know they have reached the station where they will alight. Even for tourists using the system, they can read the network map in the carriages.

Well blind passengers can't, for one thing. I'm sure there's some sort of accessibility standards that the MTR follows. Not to mention that station announcements aren't some kind of novel invention... they're there because at least some passengers find them useful. I concede that hearing everything 3 times in multiple languages gets repetitive... but that's where the iPod comes in. For me, the announcements usually just fade into the background anyway.

If anything, these 2 things about MTR annoy me more:
1/ changing the closing chime from 9 beeps to 20 beeps. A tad excessive, no? If someone wants to rush on a train, they'll do it regardless.
2/ using one announcer for the Cantonese and English announcements, and a separate one for the Mandarin announcements. I'm sure there are announcers out there fluent in all 3 languages.

To be honest, it's cozy, functional but too dull. Although there is not enough space for the development of shops, however there should be more decoration to make it more lively and dynamic.

Like more color-MTR stations are very colorful and vibrant...I remember first walking in these subways and I thought, "Wow, it looks so...old and neglected."


If anything, these 2 things about MTR annoy me more:
1/ changing the closing chime from 9 beeps to 20 beeps. A tad excessive, no? If someone wants to rush on a train, they'll do it regardless.


Yeah-this is probably increased noise pollution.

Well blind passengers can't, for one thing. I'm sure there's some sort of accessibility standards that the MTR follows. Not to mention that station announcements aren't some kind of novel invention... they're there because at least some passengers find them useful. I concede that hearing everything 3 times in multiple languages gets repetitive... but that's where the iPod comes in. For me, the announcements usually just fade into the background anyway.

If anything, these 2 things about MTR annoy me more:
1/ changing the closing chime from 9 beeps to 20 beeps. A tad excessive, no? If someone wants to rush on a train, they'll do it regardless.
2/ using one announcer for the Cantonese and English announcements, and a separate one for the Mandarin announcements. I'm sure there are announcers out there fluent in all 3 languages.

Yes, that chime is really annoying - gives people an even better chance of running for it. I think the change came after some kid got caught on a closing door, and they had to do 'something' to show off to the public they care.

Monash keeps rail network on track
2 March 2010
The Australian

MONASH University has signed a four-year contract worth more than $1 million with MTR Corporation to provide knowledge, procedures and software tools for its Hong Kong rail network.

Monash's Institute of Railway Technology will provide strategic rail management and maintenance consultancy to MTR to optimise its wheel and rail maintenance practices.

IRT has forged a strong relationship with MTR -- the major joint venture partner of Metro Trains Melbourne -- over the past two decades but the latest contract is considered an important milestone.

IRT business manager Ravi Ravitharan said the institute would play a leading role in enabling MTR to proactively manage the vital wheel-rail, steel-on-steel interface.

``The last major study on wheel-rail interface involving urban lines was done about six or seven years ago,'' Mr Ravitharan said. ``Since that time, they have opened up new lines so (we will look at) what are the impacts from those and new rolling stock they have brought in.''

MTR is responsible for the entire passenger railway operation in Hong Kong following its merger with Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation in 2007. It is one of the world's most heavily used urban mass transit systems, carrying more than 2.5 million passengers each day.

``In Hong Kong, the metro system at peak hour has a train every 90 seconds, so they can't really afford to have a failure or any rail replacement due to the traffic and limited downtime,'' Mr Ravitharan said. The research ``will improve their efficiency to maintain the availability of those track sections''.

IRT would play a key role in helping MTR reduce overall rail management costs and increase the capability of its Hong Kong rail system, he said. The project would focus on managing the wheel-rail interface in its Urban, East and Airport railway lines.

Mr Ravitharan said the project would also enable MTR to enhance its operation, which is regarded as the benchmark in mass transit rail systems.

IRT has conducted several studies to identify causes of rail deterioration on MTR Urban Line tracks and to devise strategies to slow the rate of deterioration. IRT had its origins in BHP and was established at Monash University in 2000.

^^ OK, it may be overwhelmed to do the same thing over and over again at each station.
But if one person is out of his/her mind for some reason, or a non-local doesn't know anything and get injured or even killed, those annoying things would have saved him/her. The announcement is better be safe than sorry. (In some extend, it's also liability responsibility for the MTR Corp., too.)

Some KMB buses do have a route map on-board.
But the difficulty is the same vehicle run on different routes, it is difficult to keep these maps replaced on each run.
The station announcement system is getting more popular, so I guess it has improved the ease for some people

Yes, I certainly know what they're there for, and personally, I don't really get annoyed at the announcements being made. But, I can see where the author was coming from, as to have to hear it day in and day out probably isn't very pleasant.

I can certainly understand the case for people who have never gone into a subway like Hong Kong's (or a subway at all), I was surprised, especially last summer, to run into 4-5 people, all mandarin speaking save one, that had no idea how to get into the MTR. I had to help a elder lady buy her ticket and show her how to get through the gate... among other things. I've never run into so many such people before... so for those people the announcements are certainly beneficial.

I'm just surprised that in the litigation-happy US, and for a state who (snobbily and mistakenly) prides itself in being all progressive and trying to be the forefront of everything (believe me, some people here truly believe that, and such a thing is evidenced by our bloated, convoluted, and largely useless regulations in many areas) , actually have such a technologically backwards subway system.

The route maps on the KMB bus are actually quite clear, always on the lower floor just past the driver, but you don't always know what station you got on at, and the bus driver doesn't always update the next stop...

Yes, that chime is really annoying - gives people an even better chance of running for it. I think the change came after some kid got caught on a closing door, and they had to do 'something' to show off to the public they care.

You know what's more annoying is that during peak hours, you get all these people who try to run for it, and inevitably gets clamped by the door, then the doors get stuck for moment, all open up, then the announcement repeats (please stand back from the door, in all three languages, plus the obligatory beep beep beep x9)

And sometimes, because people are just selfish and stupid like that, and can't wait the extra 30 seconds for the next train to come, and should know that in the extra minute it took for them to cram themselves into the crowded train, it could've left and the second one could've come...

the whole process repeats 2-3 times! The worst I've seen we actually got stuck for 90 extra seconds while the doors tried to close 5 times! And with all those announcements, all the while moving nowhere.

The route maps on the KMB bus are actually quite clear, always on the lower floor just past the driver, but you don't always know what station you got on at, and the bus driver doesn't always update the next stop...

Technology has improving. There are three ways to do it...
Manually changed by the driver is one way, cheapest, easiest to install, but least accurate and more works for the driver besides driving.
By mileage, and odometer tracks the distance traveled from the starting point and changes the announcement automatically as the bus goes.
By GPS, this is where everyone going with these days. The system just changes the announcement at certain location, very simple. I suppose there is a build in odometer as well to compensate the loss of satellite signal in urban canyon, under bridges and tunnels, too.

So things are going to get better with less human error in it.

You know what's more annoying is that during peak hours, you get all these people who try to run for it, and inevitably gets clamped by the door, then the doors get stuck for moment, all open up, then the announcement repeats (please stand back from the door, in all three languages, plus the obligatory beep beep beep x9)

And sometimes, because people are just selfish and stupid like that, and can't wait the extra 30 seconds for the next train to come, and should know that in the extra minute it took for them to cram themselves into the crowded train, it could've left and the second one could've come...

the whole process repeats 2-3 times! The worst I've seen we actually got stuck for 90 extra seconds while the doors tried to close 5 times! And with all those announcements, all the while moving nowhere.

The worse is, the incident happens at one of carriages on the train, but not yours. You have no idea what is going on, but just think it's stupid the doors just keep open-and-close for no reason. Some people would get so scared and thought the train isn't working right.

And one train is stuck at one station has a ripple effect on every other train behind it. A delay of 90 sec, is a mis-schedule of many other trains since we run train at 90 sec interval.

You know what's more annoying is that during peak hours, you get all these people who try to run for it, and inevitably gets clamped by the door, then the doors get stuck for moment, all open up, then the announcement repeats (please stand back from the door, in all three languages, plus the obligatory beep beep beep x9)

Wow, really? Isn't there a way for the driver to override the announcement and go straight to the door chimes? This would make more sense instead of repeating...

And yeah, in NYC you might occasionally find someone holding the doors for 30sec. If the conductor is nice, he might open the doors all the way before re-closing them. But usually it's the passenger's selfishness, so they rapidly open and close the doors so as to tell the passenger to get the f out and make them feel bad.


And one train is stuck at one station has a ripple effect on every other train behind it. A delay of 90 sec, is a mis-schedule of many other trains since we run train at 90 sec interval.

That's the bad apart about having trains running so frequent (I am jealous of course). Closest thing here would be on the downtown 6 line during AM rush hour. Sometimes trains are forced to skip a station or two if trains are too close together due to delays.

Lawmakers rail at MTR refusal to rule out a rise in fares
The Standard
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Commuters may have to fork out more to ride on the MTR after the corporation refused to rule out a fares rise yesterday.

MTR Corp (0066) said it will decide in an annual review in June, sparking criticism from lawmakers who oppose any hike.

Company bosses say fares will be reviewed under the Fare Adjustment Mechanism which is based on the consumer price index and wage index of transport services.

Inflation in 2009 was 1.3 percent, but only half - 0.65 percent - will be applied, as growth in CPI and the wage index account for 50 percent of the adjustment rate, respectively.

"I dare not predict whether the change in transport wage index for the whole industry will be positive or negative. We'll wait for the government statistics before decide on any adjustment," MTR Corp chief executive Chow Chung-kong said.

He said MTR wages went up 0.8 percent on average, but had no information if other transport services like taxis had pay rises too.

Rail fares will be adjusted only if the overall adjustment rate reaches a trigger point of 1.5 percent, and last year's adjustment rate of 0.7 percent will be carried over to this year's review, Chow said.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party legislator Wong Sing-chi attacked any attempt to raise fares, saying no excuse justified such a move.

He said more than 1,000 cross- boundary commuters from New Territories East seldom enjoy fare discounts, and he would rally residents against any fare rise.

Legislator Leung Yiu-chung, who represents New Territories West, said increasing MTR fares may lead to inflation.

"MTRC has gained lots of profit over the past years. There is no reason to increase the fares," he said.

Leung stressed it would be "unfair" to long-distance commuters and the working class. "How can they bear a heavier burden for living and daily transportation?" he asked.

Technology has improving. There are three ways to do it...
Manually changed by the driver is one way, cheapest, easiest to install, but least accurate and more works for the driver besides driving.
By mileage, and odometer tracks the distance traveled from the starting point and changes the announcement automatically as the bus goes.
By GPS, this is where everyone going with these days. The system just changes the announcement at certain location, very simple. I suppose there is a build in odometer as well to compensate the loss of satellite signal in urban canyon, under bridges and tunnels, too.

So things are going to get better with less human error in it.



GPS is a good idea, but with the turnover rate of KMB, I don't know how long it'll take for that to be implemented. I think odometer is possible, but may be flawed, since we can have stops every 500 meters or so, if the odometer is just a simple program, the errors from changing lanes, etc... can quickly mount.

I think GPS has the ability to continue extrapolating your course for 30 sec or so if the signal is lost, it's what my GPS does.


The worse is, the incident happens at one of carriages on the train, but not yours. You have no idea what is going on, but just think it's stupid the doors just keep open-and-close for no reason. Some people would get so scared and thought the train isn't working right.

And one train is stuck at one station has a ripple effect on every other train behind it. A delay of 90 sec, is a mis-schedule of many other trains since we run train at 90 sec interval.

You get used to the doors opening and closing if you're a local, it's just an annoyance.

But of course, like you say the schedule is so dense at peak hours that I find it ironic people try to jam into the trains, resulting in delays, and ironically, if they hadn't tried to force themselves in, the next train might've been there already.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4447091424_42a649e554_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13041365@N07/with/4447091424/

Can't believe it's more expensive than Tung Chung - Lok Ma Chau.

Well... the actual journey trip by MTR is quite a long ride... even though the origin and destination are only a few km away.

MTR Corp: To Raise Average HK Train Fares 2.05% This Year
25 March 2010

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--MTR Corp. (0066.HK), Hong Kong's sole railway operator, said Thursday it plans to raise average train fares by 2.05% this year, in the government-controlled company's first fare increase in 13 years.

The blue-chip company follows a rigid fare adjustment mechanism, which is linked to consumer price data, when determining fare changes.

MTRC, which is 77%-owned by the Hong Kong government, adopted the mechanism as a condition set by the government of its merger with commuter and intercity rail operator Kowloon Canton Railway Corp. in 2007.

The rail operator said the average single journey fare of HK$7.20 will rise by HK$0.15 per journey, though specific fare increases on various routes haven't been determined.

MTRC last hiked fares in 1997, the company said.

MTRC had a 42.6% share of Hong Kong's transportation market in 2009.

^^ So the politicians should hunt down MTR Corp. when the mechanism shows the fare should be reduced.

Seriously, I bet 95% of the people don't even know exactly how much they are paying to ride each trip with the Octopus card, just "dud," and go.

P.S.
Just went through this:
http://www.mtr.com.hk/chi/whatsnew/images/single_journey_fare_day0908.pdf
The most expensive non-AE, non-Octopus ride costs $49, from Yuen Long to Lok Ma Chau. :nuts::nuts::nuts:

^^ So the politicians should hunt down MTR Corp. when the mechanism shows the fare should be reduced.

Seriously, I bet 95% of the people don't even know exactly how much they are paying to ride each trip with the Octopus card, just "dud," and go.

P.S.
Just went through this:
http://www.mtr.com.hk/chi/whatsnew/images/single_journey_fare_day0908.pdf
The most expensive non-AE, non-Octopus ride costs $49, from Yuen Long to Lok Ma Chau. :nuts::nuts::nuts:

Can't believe it's more expensive than Tung Chung - Lok Ma Chau.

MTR fares up 15 cents
The Standard
Friday, March 26, 2010

An estimated four million passengers will have to pay an average of 15 cents a trip more from June 1.

MTR marketing and station business general manager Jeny Yeung Mei-chun said the 2.05 percent hike - forecast by The Standard yesterday - is the result of the fare adjustment mechanism, as agreed with the government.

"The mechanism is legally binding," Yeung said. "It is linked to the consumer price index and transport wage index so the result is objective, fair and transparent."

She said it will be the first increase in MTR fares for 13 years.

As the average fare is HK$7.20 per trip, the increase will be around 15 cents a journey.

But Yeung added the rise will only be implemented after a third party audits the result of the mechanism.

The Census and Statistics Department announced yesterday the nominal wage change in the transport sector in the fourth quarter of last year was 1.4 percent - a figure that was used to calculate the new fare.

According to the latest wage index, bus companies may also apply for a fare increase of 1.25 percent but KMB, Citybus and First Bus said they have no plans to do so.

Democratic Party legislator Andrew Cheng Kar-foo said the public must not accept a fare rise - no matter how small - when the company is making a huge profit. He also suggested the government set up a fund from MTRC share dividends to stabilize fares.

A spokeswoman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said the adjustment mechanism has taken into consideration how much the public can afford.

"We will continue to encourage every public transport operator, including the rail company, to provide concessions to the public," she said.

University of Science and Technology economics professor Francis Lui Ting-ming said it is reasonable for the MTRC to increase fares.

"You cannot say only accept a fall and not a rise," he said. "There is no free lunch in this world."

But Cheng, vice chairman of the Legislative Council's transport panel, criticized MTR Corp for making the move even though it has turned in a profit of HK$77.2 billion over the past 10 years and HK$9.6 billion last year.

Coalition to Monitor Public Transport and Utilities spokesman Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong said the formula ignores important factors such as MTRC profits and changes in wages among the general public.

"If you consider the wages of the general public you cannot agree with a fare increase," Tsoi said.

"If you dig deeper into the MTRC profits, you will never agree with it."

A fare increase of 15 HK cents after 13 years?!

And there are complaints? HKers are spoiled.

Yes - considering fares did drop when the MTR and KCR merged.

For those who live in HK:

I always wanted to understand the commuting patterns in East Rail Line. I mean, it links Kowloon and many new towns in NT, but it does not connect them directly to HK Island. Is it very common for people to make the two transfers at Kowloon Tong and Mong Kok? Or does downton Kowloon absorbs well the huge number of people coming from the northern suburbs?

This is something I think it's missing in HK system. It has a lot of lines, but its network effect is not so great. For instance, if you want to go from Causeway Bay to Lo Wu you have to make 3 transfers! Of course, if some projects become reality (like the North Island Line, Shatin-Central Link and the recently built Kowloon Southern Link) the situation will get A LOT better. By the way, how's the North Island Line project doing? Is it still alive?

A fare increase of 15 HK cents after 13 years?!

And there are complaints? HKers are spoiled.

Jeeze...that comes down to less than $0.02USD and an average fare of <$1USD. No wonder mass transit is the lifeblood of HK. It's low compared to other cities, but I guess since a lot of things in HK are inexpensive (other than housing), it's probably about right.

For those who live in HK:

I always wanted to understand the commuting patterns in East Rail Line. I mean, it links Kowloon and many new towns in NT, but it does not connect them directly to HK Island. Is it very common for people to make the two transfers at Kowloon Tong and Mong Kok? Or does downton Kowloon absorbs well the huge number of people coming from the northern suburbs?

This is something I think it's missing in HK system. It has a lot of lines, but its network effect is not so great. For instance, if you want to go from Causeway Bay to Lo Wu you have to make 3 transfers! Of course, if some projects become reality (like the North Island Line, Shatin-Central Link and the recently built Kowloon Southern Link) the situation will get A LOT better. By the way, how's the North Island Line project doing? Is it still alive?

The East Rail was originally built as a freight line to connect HK and Canton (Guangzhou) in the late 1890s with HK terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui. (Hints: KCRC, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp.) It was then upgraded to become a freight and commuter lines in 1980s as part of the new town developments. Those who wish to cross the harbour were planned to transfer either to MTR at Kowloon Tong, or to buses at Hung Ham with the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Thus not all people live in the NT East work across the harbour, but in Kowloon as well.

And don't forget, the rail system was operated by TWO companies before the they merged in 2007.

Jeeze...that comes down to less than $0.02USD and an average fare of <$1USD. No wonder mass transit is the lifeblood of HK. It's low compared to other cities, but I guess since a lot of things in HK are inexpensive (other than housing), it's probably about right.


Yes, it's equivalent to $0.02....

I know with regards to the complaints that it's not the amount of increase, but the precendent that it sets that says it's okay to raise fares even if the MTR is raking in huge profits. But as a private corporation, profits are the main objective (even if it's mostly for filling government coffers).

Yes, it's equivalent to $0.02....

I know with regards to the complaints that it's not the amount of increase, but the precendent that it sets that says it's okay to raise fares even if the MTR is raking in huge profits. But as a private corporation, profits are the main objective (even if it mostly for filling government coffers).

Well... but the majority of the people see MTR as a public transport operator like the TTA and MTA, and they are those who complain about any fare increase.
It is not just the MTR, people always complain about all other public service corporations raising its fee in HK, i.e. KMB, Citybus/NWFB, CLP, HK Electric, CLP, Town Gas etc. etc.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4477602078_a49c355267_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4470217146_0911bee03b_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirosk/sets/72157623554941983/

The East Rail was originally built as a freight line to connect HK and Canton (Guangzhou) in the late 1890s with HK terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui. (Hints: KCRC, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp.) It was then upgraded to become a freight and commuter lines in 1980s as part of the new town developments. Those who wish to cross the harbour were planned to transfer either to MTR at Kowloon Tong, or to buses at Hung Ham with the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Thus not all people live in the NT East work across the harbour, but in Kowloon as well.

And don't forget, the rail system was operated by TWO companies before the they merged in 2007.

Thanks:)

Well... but the majority of the people see MTR as a public transport operator like the TTA and MTA, and they are those who complain about any fare increase.
It is not just the MTR, people always complain about all other public service corporations raising its fee in HK, i.e. KMB, Citybus/NWFB, CLP, HK Electric, CLP, Town Gas etc. etc.to complain is human.

Martini87 there is a plan for a direct "Sha Tin to Central Link" that would take people from the Eastern New Territories to Central without any transfers.

And the extension of the KCR to Tsim Sha Tsui East made transfers from KCR to MTR quite a bit easier in Tsim Sha Tsui - way more comfortable and faster than the earlier transfer at Mong Kong or the Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui walk

yet I recall that my girlfriend of the time used to prefer to take the bus directly from her housing estate all the way down to the bus interchange at the Kowloon Ferry Terminal.

That's the nice thing about HK - all the public transport options.

Cheers, m

.

And the extension of the KCR to Tsim Sha Tsui East made transfers from KCR to MTR quite a bit easier in Tsim Sha Tsui - way more comfortable and faster than the earlier transfer at Mong Kong or the Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui walk

Cheers, m

Actually, no one transfer between the KCR/East Rail and the MTR at Mong Kok and Hung Hom/Tsim Sha Tsui. The stations between two lines are a good 20+ minutes walk. East Rail doesn't go to TST anymore, passengers have to transfer tot he West Rail for TST now, which isn't attractive for East Rail/MTR transfer.
Plus the gated area for MTR and the gated area for West Rail isn't connected.

Kowloon Tong is still the main East Rail/MTR transfer point.

Actually, no one transfer between the KCR/East Rail and the MTR at Mong Kok and Hung Hom/Tsim Sha Tsui. The stations between two lines are a good 20+ minutes walk. East Rail doesn't go to TST anymore, passengers have to transfer tot he West Rail for TST now, which isn't attractive for East Rail/MTR transfer.
Plus the gated area for MTR and the gated area for West Rail isn't connected.

Kowloon Tong is still the main East Rail/MTR transfer point.
hahaha yeah, Im a bit out of date - last time I was in HK was in 2006 before West Rail was extended down to Tsim Sha Tsui.

As for 'no one' making those connections - it's not common, of course - but I did it regularly because it was an enjoyable experience and I had the time. :)

I stayed near Kowloon Tong the 2nd time I was in Hong Kong - it was a very convenient place to base myself for traveling in and around HK.

Cheers, m

As for 'no one' making those connections - it's not common, of course - but I did it regularly because it was an enjoyable experience and I had the time. :)


Well, "no one" was just a general term for residents.
You're a tourist in town, doesn't count.

Those tunnels are so dull, when I lived in TST hotels I walked across them quite often to get to TST east to eat, etc... and I couldn't help but wonder how much nicer it would be if there were some shops (I know there are some towards the ends, but not throughout much of the area), or at least some advertisements to give me something to look at.
These underground walkways are built by the KCRC under the agreement with the government to serve as subways (underpasses). They are not considered as regular exits of either Tsim Sha Tsui Station or East Tsim Sha Tsui Station. Hence, no retail shops or advertisements are allowed in these underground walkways. If you consider the width of the streets above the walkways, there is plenty of room to make the walkways wider to fit retail shops. And consider other regular MTR station exits, you will see walkways with plenty of advertisements along them but not these ones. And as a result, MTR cannot link the paid areas of the two stations together by using one of these walkways.
Well blind passengers can't, for one thing. I'm sure there's some sort of accessibility standards that the MTR follows. Not to mention that station announcements aren't some kind of novel invention... they're there because at least some passengers find them useful. I concede that hearing everything 3 times in multiple languages gets repetitive... but that's where the iPod comes in. For me, the announcements usually just fade into the background anyway.

If anything, these 2 things about MTR annoy me more:
1/ changing the closing chime from 9 beeps to 20 beeps. A tad excessive, no? If someone wants to rush on a train, they'll do it regardless.
2/ using one announcer for the Cantonese and English announcements, and a separate one for the Mandarin announcements. I'm sure there are announcers out there fluent in all 3 languages.
I agree that the 20 beeps are annoying. I suggest they just keep the 20 beeps but get rid of the announcement in words - "Please stand back from the doors". The beeps are enough to warn the people the doors are closing.

Well, "no one" was just a general term for residents.
You're a tourist in town, doesn't count.As you like. Actually, I wasnt a 'tourist', I just liked to walk and I had lots of time to do so.

So there. :lol:

Cheers, m

As you like. Actually, I wasnt a 'tourist', I just liked to walk and I had lots of time to do so.

So there. :lol:

Cheers, m

OK, I change my word "no one", to "majority don't."

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The world of advertisement... it's so overwhelmed.

The world of advertisement... it's so overwhelmed.

I really like the Nissin one with the people eating-they always have the most unique advertising in Asia (or any Asian company in general)

The world of advertisement... it's so overwhelmed.

At least the MTR trains are spared from wrap advertising at least on the outside. There were only a few exceptions though!

I agree that the 20 beeps are annoying. I suggest they just keep the 20 beeps but get rid of the announcement in words - "Please stand back from the doors". The beeps are enough to warn the people the doors are closing.

Hmm.......you seem to be referring to the Airport Express trains. From what I recall, there are the 20 beeps......then it's around 5 seconds (on-average) then the doors close.

In normal trains, it's mostly follows this:
1) Zheng bat kaw kun che mun
2) Qing bu yao kaw kin che men
3) Please stand back from the doors

then 20 beeps

then door closure

Personally, I prefer more announcements and stuff then beeps before the door closure. Hence I like it the way it is now hehe :D

P.S.
Btw, when an Airport Express train arrives at a station, how long is the average time duration from when the train doors open.....up to the warning buzzer then door closure?

Actually, no one transfer between the KCR/East Rail and the MTR at Mong Kok and Hung Hom/Tsim Sha Tsui. The stations between two lines are a good 20+ minutes walk. East Rail doesn't go to TST anymore, passengers have to transfer tot he West Rail for TST now, which isn't attractive for East Rail/MTR transfer.
Plus the gated area for MTR and the gated area for West Rail isn't connected.

Kowloon Tong is still the main East Rail/MTR transfer point.

I was just wondering...isn't it possible for East Rail users to change to West Rail at Hung Hom and to Tung Chung line at Nam Cheong heading for Hong Kong station? At least for people going to Central this is a decent alternative, I guess, due to the cross-platform transfers (I love them!), and you avoid taking both Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong line (and they don't need any more riders, heheh)

I was just wondering...isn't it possible for East Rail users to change to West Rail at Hung Hom and to Tung Chung line at Nam Cheong heading for Hong Kong station? At least for people going to Central this is a decent alternative, I guess, due to the cross-platform transfers (I love them!), and you avoid taking both Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong line (and they don't need any more riders, heheh)

Its your choice man. I tried other alternatives getting from point A to point B. Nothing will go wrong to your ticket.

I was just wondering...isn't it possible for East Rail users to change to West Rail at Hung Hom and to Tung Chung line at Nam Cheong heading for Hong Kong station? At least for people going to Central this is a decent alternative, I guess, due to the cross-platform transfers (I love them!), and you avoid taking both Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong line (and they don't need any more riders, heheh)

Probably faster to do the Kowloon Tong connection. It's a few more stops along the line to do Nam Cheong, and Tung Chung Line trains don't come as frequently.

Probably faster to do the Kowloon Tong connection. It's a few more stops along the line to do Nam Cheong, and Tung Chung Line trains don't come as frequently.

Having actually done the route, it is actually quickest from the East Rail line to switch to West Rail and then to Tung Chung Line at Nam Cheong if and only if you are going to Hong Kong... trains are timed as such that a Tung Chung line train arrives about 3 minutes after the West Rail one.

Island Line, it's quickest to switch at East-TST or Kowloon Tong depending which side of the Fortress Hill/North Point pair you are going...

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Having actually done the route, it is actually quickest from the East Rail line to switch to West Rail and then to Tung Chung Line at Nam Cheong if and only if you are going to Hong Kong... trains are timed as such that a Tung Chung line train arrives about 3 minutes after the West Rail one.

Island Line, it's quickest to switch at East-TST or Kowloon Tong depending which side of the Fortress Hill/North Point pair you are going...

Last night when I got off at Nam Cheong West Rail, the next Tung Chung Line train for Hong Kong was scheduled to arrive in 9 minutes.

Last night when I got off at Nam Cheong West Rail, the next Tung Chung Line train for Hong Kong was scheduled to arrive in 9 minutes.

You would have just missed one then (plus headway is 8 minutes, so there "should" have been one 1 minute away...) and can blame that on the West Rail one leaving late, which usually is because of the idiots that insist on running through the doors making it late. But idiots aside, it generally works. :nuts:

PS: Also the times given on the MTR site is worse case interchanges at Hung Hom and Nam Cheong respectively... and even then changing at those places rather than Hung Hom/E-TST/Central, where the tunnel sections of the latter two take 5 minutes a piece even when walking fast (and no one blocking the moving walkways... AARGH).

You would have just missed one then (plus headway is 8 minutes, so there "should" have been one 1 minute away...) and can blame that on the West Rail one leaving late, which usually is because of the idiots that insist on running through the doors making it late. But idiots aside, it generally works. :nuts:

PS: Also the times given on the MTR site is worse case interchanges at Hung Hom and Nam Cheong respectively... and even then changing at those places rather than Hung Hom/E-TST/Central, where the tunnel sections of the latter two take 5 minutes a piece even when walking fast (and no one blocking the moving walkways... AARGH).

The headway during non-peak is up to 10 minutes :
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/service_hours.html

Having actually done the route, it is actually quickest from the East Rail line to switch to West Rail and then to Tung Chung Line at Nam Cheong if and only if you are going to Hong Kong... trains are timed as such that a Tung Chung line train arrives about 3 minutes after the West Rail one.

Island Line, it's quickest to switch at East-TST or Kowloon Tong depending which side of the Fortress Hill/North Point pair you are going...how far / how long is the walk between Austin & Kowloon station?

Cheers, m

how far / how long is the walk between Austin & Kowloon station?

Cheers, m

At least 15 (yes fifteen) minutes going up out of one station and down into the other.

And even once they put the HK-side HSR terminus in between the two stations, the interchange distances between Kowloon-AEL<->W-Kowloon-HSR<->Austin are at least as large (if anything slightly larger) as those between Central<->Hong Kong or TST<->East-TST.

Stupid, stupid & stupid. 63 billion HK dollars. Gaaaaah.

^^ So the HSR is centrally located in between two MTR stations, how stupid is that?? Putting it in Kam Sheung Road isn't any smarter.

OK, it takes 15 minutes to walk today because of the grade differences.
But you save 5 minutes when it's on the same level, and sure there will be APM like between Central and Hong Kong, and shorten the journey within 10 minutes.
So what's the big deal?

^^ So the HSR is centrally located in between two MTR stations, how stupid is that?? Putting it in Kam Sheung Road isn't any smarter.

OK, it takes 15 minutes to walk today because of the grade differences.
But you save 5 minutes when it's on the same level, and sure there will be APM like between Central and Hong Kong, and shorten the journey within 10 minutes.
So what's the big deal?15 minutes walk is not a problem for many people and if they have an APM or minibus link, so much the better.

I did hear about a plan for a people mover in west kowloon, (http://www.leaelliott.com/assets/files/40766-7245.pdf) but didnt realize that there's also a plan for an APM between Central & Hong Kong stations.

How far ahead is the planning for West Kowloon Cultural District?

Cheers, m

15 minutes walk is not a problem for many people and if they have an APM or minibus link, so much the better.

I did hear about a plan for a people mover in west kowloon, (http://www.leaelliott.com/assets/files/40766-7245.pdf) but didnt realize that there's also a plan for an APM between Central & Hong Kong stations.

How far ahead is the planning for West Kowloon Cultural District?

Cheers, m

The APM I referred too isn't the train one, but the escalator-style.

Protesters seek changes to transport-fare formula
19 April 2010
SCMP

A fare adjustment formula that led to a decision to raise MTR fares should be revised, concern groups say.

The MTR Corporation's impending fare rises - by an average 2.05 per cent in June - prompted four community groups to protest yesterday.

They said the formula should take into account income changes in different sectors, especially low-income earners.

"The fare adjustment mechanism takes only the costs of the transport companies into account, but neglects the incomes of the public," Chan Yu-cheung of the Community Development Alliance said.

The legally binding formula is based on two factors in general - the consumer price index and transport wages. A rise of at least 1.5 per cent against the previous calculation outcome will trigger an increase.

Chan said: "The authorities say transport workers' incomes have `increased', but the calculation is based on nominal income, not real income ... which has decreased. So, the formula could have overestimated.

"Despite a rise in the consumer price index, the incomes of many workers, such as cleaners and security guards, do not go up proportionally. So an MTR fare increase can burden them further."

The groups urged the government to expand a transport subsidy scheme to help low-income earners.

"Transport costs can take up one-sixth of a cleaner's income," Chan said. "The government should make the subsidy scheme a long-term measure and expand the coverage to all 18 districts."

The scheme requires an applicant to earn HK$6,500 or less. Recipients get HK$600 a month for six months and cannot extend the subsidy beyond a year.

The scheme started in 2007 and covers only Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and the North and Islands districts.

MTR fare rise last straw, residents tell Legco
24 April 2010
South China Morning Post

Tung Chung residents, angry at planned MTR fare rises and their exclusion from a fare subsidy, took their grievances to the Legislative Council yesterday. The lack of free feeder bus services, combined with the distance to the city, put a huge financial burden on residents of public housing estates, they said.

A spokesman for the group Tung Chung Livelihood Monitor, Islands district councillor Tang Ka-piu, spelled out their concerns at Legco. Tuen Mun and Tin Shui Wai residents enjoyed discounts through a HK$470 monthly pass, but Tung Chung residents had no such privilege, Tang said.

"The monthly pass is not available to us," he said. "We don't know why. While residents from other districts enjoy free feeder bus services that take passengers from their homes to the stations, Yat Tung Estate residents need to pay HK$3.10 or HK$2.10 using the Octopus card for a feeder journey."

Tang accused the MTR Corp of depriving residents of affordable transport. "The Social Welfare Department announced in March that Yat Tung Estate has the fourth highest rate of dole recipients in the city," he said. "The fare rise will be the last straw, destroying the livelihood of residents."

A trip from Tung Chung to Hung Hom using an Octopus card is HK$18.20, including the feeder bus. If a Tuen Mun or Tin Shui Wai resident works 22 days in a month and uses the HK$470 pass, each journey costs only HK$10.70

The MTR Corp will increase fares by an average 2 per cent in June, though some could rise as much as 5 per cent.

Have they added elevators to those older stations, like from Kwun Tong to Central stations?

Have they added elevators to those older stations, like from Kwun Tong to Central stations?

I see many older stations have new lifts, although don't have an exact inventory of which stations and how many.

Arriving at Hong Kong, and one thing I haven't gotten used to (well I haven't been used to many things, but this one tops my list), was the relatively huge platform gap and step entry. My luggage wheel got stuck on the Airport Express =(

Does anyone mind me adding a few (really bad) photos of the MTR system that I took while I was in Hong Kong? I'm sorry that most of the pictures aren't very straight.

Airport Express at HK International
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On board the airport express
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MTR Map
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Hong Kong Station
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Tung Chung Station
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Jordan MTR station
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Typical MTR train on the Tsuen Wan line
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Tai Wai station (former KCR)
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Former KCR trains on the Ma On Shan line.
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Interior of former KCR train.
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Snackers, picnickers thumb nose at MTR rule, leave mess behind
18 May 2010
South China Morning Post

What kind of rubbish would you expect to find on the MTR?

Food, packaged or half consumed? Bingo, though that is not the worst of it (see below for something else that will likely kill your appetite).

While eating or drinking after passing through the turnstile violates the MTR's by-laws, such behaviour is getting more common.

Nearly 2,400 commuters were given warning letters for such breaches in the first three months of this year - a jump of 15.7 per cent from a year earlier and four times the figure for the same period in 2008.

Not all who break the rule are office workers or schoolchildren who steal a bite of breakfast on the train. Some riders treat the carriage as a picnic area, sitting on the floor and sharing noodles, snacks or fishballs. MTR head of operations Choi Tak-tsan said the rail operator would launch a campaign in the next two weeks to educate commuters. Patrols would be stepped up at stations on lines where the problem was serious.

Choi said, "I understand Hong Kong people have a very busy schedule, but breaching the rule could lead to prosecution and a maximum fine of HK$2,000." More than 10 people were prosecuted last year after they refused to stop eating despite warnings from MTR staff.

A station officer who asked not to be named said lychees were the latest seasonal favourite.

"Cleaners have found a lot of lychee peels under the seats lately. It's the fruit of the season, and many visitors from the north bring a few packs and eat them on the train."

But food and its leftovers are not the worst thing MTR staff have had to deal with.

"We once even found a bag of human faeces on the train, after passengers complained of the smell," the officer said.

Snackers, picnickers thumb nose at MTR rule, leave mess behind
18 May 2010
South China Morning Post

But food and its leftovers are not the worst thing MTR staff have had to deal with.

"We once even found a bag of human faeces on the train, after passengers complained of the smell," the officer said.

Starting to sound like NYC! (Hope it doesn't continue though)

Starting to sound like NYC! (Hope it doesn't continue though)

What's next? Apply Singapore style laws on The MTR?

I've never seen people eating so openly though.

^^ So the HSR is centrally located in between two MTR stations, how stupid is that?? Putting it in Kam Sheung Road isn't any smarter.

OK, it takes 15 minutes to walk today because of the grade differences.
But you save 5 minutes when it's on the same level, and sure there will be APM like between Central and Hong Kong, and shorten the journey within 10 minutes.
So what's the big deal?

I think it is Okay to have a small stop (two plaform with two fast through line)
in Kam Shui Road in HSR system.

But place HSR Terminus in Kam Shui Road is very stupid!!
It located far away in city center (more than 10KM), no commercial and heavy infrastructure support, the most important is more inconvinence than kowloon interchange. Kam shui Road stands near mainland China (about 15Km)~~ Why don't use HSR in Futian Station when you live in NT?

According to experience from other countries, HSR market is commercial ppl and traveller from other places than local ppl travelling.

Please go to school and study more city planning!

HK Airport Exp train is just awesome...is it departing from Hong Kong MTR Station, right?

HK Airport Exp train is just awesome...is it departing from Hong Kong MTR Station, right?

Yes.

I have never seen anyone eating in a MTR train before. I have also never seen a single piece of garbage in any train.

I have never seen anyone eating in a MTR train before. I have also never seen a single piece of garbage in any train.
I've seen dustballs doing casual strolls in the train. Does that count?

I've seen dustballs doing casual strolls in the train. Does that count?

A dustball is not food. It's not a piece of garbage discarded by accident or on purpose either.

^^ Talk about sense of humour bypass.

Fare hikes spawn protests at MTR stations
The Standard
Monday, June 14, 2010

http://the-sun.on.cc/cnt/news/20100614/photo/0614-00407-035b3.jpg

About 100 protesters rallied at MTR stations yesterday on the first day yesterday of 2 percent fare hikes.

Ninety percent of passengers have to pay between 10 and 70 cents more per journey.

The Federation of Trade Unions staged the protests at seven stations to urge MTR Corp to cancel the increases, as well as the 10 HK cents it is charging per trip for installing platform screen doors, as not all stations have them.

At Tai Wai station, FTU lawmaker Ip Wai-ming criticized the MTRC for raising fares despite reaping HK$9.6 billion in profit last year.

"The MTRC has not improved services despite higher charges," Ip said, noting that 100 routes are now more expensive for Octopus card users.

"Technical problems are not an acceptable explanation for these irregularities in Octopus charges," said Ip, who called on the Legislative Council and Executive Council to review the fare adjustment mechanism.

Notices were put up at ticket-vending machines and customer service centers to notify passengers of the fare hikes and the abnormal charges on Octopus.

A few said the new fares are acceptable because the increments involve such small amounts. But some said they may consider buying single journey tickets or switching to buses altogether.

Chan Pak-hung, 71, said he didn't mind paying extra for traveling from Tai Wai to Jordan to meet friends.

"Since using the Octopus is very convenient, I won't bother changing to single journey tickets as the extra charge is so little. But I feel the company is so mean to passengers," he said.

An MTRC spokeswoman said it is collecting 10 cents per journey from Octopus cardholders from 2000 until 2017 for retrofitting platform screen doors.

The project costs HK$2 billion, which was not covered in the original investment plan of the urban lines of MTR. Lawmakers then decided that half of the project's cost should be shared by passengers. By the end of last year, HK$730 million had been collected.

Sigh... HKers are too spoiled in good and cheap public transportation service.

The notice I saw in San Francisco last month was 25% hike in fare with service reduction.......

The fares are still cheaper than before the MTR-KCR merger. :)

Max fare increase of 70 cents per journey (10 cents USD)...:cripes:

Good grief... and the time of these protestors is not worth money?

Max fare increase of 70 cents per journey (10 cents USD)...:cripes:

Good grief... and the time of these protestors is not worth money?

I guess you have to chalk it up to, arguing for the principle of the matter and not the amount itself.

But yes, the increase seems muniscule in comparison to other fare-hikes (especially those seen in Vancouver where the transit system is consistently in the red)

But yes, the increase seems muniscule in comparison to other fare-hikes (especially those seen in Vancouver where the transit system is consistently in the red)

At least we haven't been doing any fare hikes yet. I feel really bad for some of the fellow American Systems, like San Francisco, with a hike and a service reduction.