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MTR warns of possible increase in work-related delays in signal upgrade

Work could cause train delays but will make system more stable, rail operator says

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The transit operator warned of interference to services after a week that saw five disruptions of more than eight minutes. Photo: Nora Tam

MTR passengers were yesterday warned to expect more delays next year when the railway operator starts upgrading its signalling system. The news came after a week in which five disruptions lasting more than eight minutes hit the system.

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Operations director Dr Jacob Kam Chak-pui said the work on the Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Island and Tseung Kwan O lines could add uncertainty to train operations.

"We hope there will be no impact, but we don't know," he said.

The signal upgrade operations are due to be completed between 2018 and 2022.

The MTR said work would be done only outside the railway's operating hours, so that any impact on services would be kept to a minimum.

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Kam said that while the upgrade would allow the MTR to add more train trips and make the system more stable, there could be an increase in disruptions during the process.

"In other places, they close the whole system during the whole upgrade, but that's impossible in Hong Kong," he said.

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