Light Rail (MTR) explained

Light Rail
Chinese: 輕鐵
Other Name:Light Rail Transit (LRT), North-West Railway
Status:Operational
Mapcolor: Warm yellow
Type:Light rail
Owner:KCR Corporation
Operator:MTR Corporation
System:MTR
Locale:
Stations:68
Depot:Tuen Mun
Character:Elevated
At-grade
Number Of Routes:11 (14 during rush hour)
Stock:1 or 2-car high-floor light rail vehicles
Linelength Km:36.2
Electrification: (Overhead line)
Map State:collapsed
T:輕鐵
S:轻铁
L:Light rail
P:Qīngtiě
Y:Hīngtit
Ci:pronounced as /héːŋ.tʰīːt̚/
J:Hing1tit3
Poj:Kheng-thih
H:Khiâng-thiet
Showflag:y

The Light Rail, also known as the Light Rail Transit (LRT), officially the North-West Railway,[1] is a light rail system in Hong Kong, serving the northwestern New Territories, within Tuen Mun District and Yuen Long District. The system operates over track, using overhead power supply. It was once one of four systems comprising the KCR network in Hong Kong, before the MTR–KCR merger in 2007. It has a daily ridership of about 483,000 people.[2] The line is colour warm yellow on the map, formerly deep orange before the MTR–KCR merger.

History

Planning and commencement

When Tuen Mun was developed in the 1970s, the Hong Kong government set aside space for the laying of rail tracks. There was uncertainty however as to which company would be chosen to build the railway. In 1982, Hong Kong Tramways showed interest in building the system and running double-decker trams on it, before abandoning the project after negotiations over land premiums for related property development failed.[3] The government sought another builder. The Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) was "heavily indebted" at the time, and so Secretary for Transport Alan Scott invited the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) to consider the project instead.[4] [5] The KCRC announced they would build the system in 1984 to a budget of $1.5 billion, after investigating ways to improve commercial viability. After some research, construction commenced on 14 July 1985.

By that time, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) had developed its own network in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, and there were about 10 routes serving within the districts internally, most of them profitable. However, the government introduced the concept of the "Light Rail Service Area" in both districts, within which the LRT would monopolise all public transport services, forcing the KMB to withdraw all internal bus services in favour of the Light Rail. It also forced the KMB to impose boarding and alighting restrictions for external routes. It was decided that services between town centres and settlements would be provided solely by the Light Rail, while feeder buses operated by the KCRC would connect remote sites to the network, replacing KMB's equivalent services where applicable.

The system was completed and fully operational in September 1988. The first section was opened to the public on 14 September 1988, with free rides between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long; normal, all-day service began four days later, on 18 September.[6] The system consisted of two large and three small loops serving most of the public housing estates in northern Tuen Mun. Three branches: one to On Ting Estate in the southeast, one to the Tuen Mun Ferry Pier in the southwest and another northern branch all the way into the town of Yuen Long along Castle Peak Road. It was then known as Light Rail Transit or LRT and is also called as the North-west Railway according to the Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation Ordinance and Mass Transit Railway (North-west Railway) Bylaw.[7] [8]

The transit system is the first and the only one in Hong Kong adopted zonal fare system. The feeder buses have fares independent of these zones, but provide discounts when passengers interchange between these buses and LRT. Seventy single-deck LRVs were manufactured in Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia by Comeng, to be shipped to Hong Kong for the seven LRT routes in the system.[9] Three of the routes were to Yuen Long and the others were confined to Tuen Mun.

Extensions

The system's first extension came for the southern and eastern parts of Tuen Mun. The eastern extension branches off the main line south of Siu Hong stop and crosses the river that runs through Tuen Mun immediately with a flyover. The line then runs along Castle Peak Road to a road north of the town centre, where it climbs to another flyover and rejoins the main route. The northern end of this extension is still the only non-triangular junction in the entire system.

The southern extension mainly consists of a route linking On Ting and Ferry Pier, on the newly reclaimed land near the river mouth of Tuen Mun River, known as "Mouse Island" by locals. A short spur was also built from the extension to another terminus at Sam Shing Estate, located near Castle Peak Bay. Three LRT routes were diverted (route 505 was extended to Sam Shing) and one feeder bus route (route 559) discontinued as a result of these changes.

Tin Shui Wai was originally an area with numerous fish ponds, but was developed as a residential new town in the early 1990s. With the increase of internal commuter traffic demand, an LRT spur was built north of Hung Shui Kiu stop that opened in 1993, with four stops serving the initial housing areas of the town. The area was further developed in the next few years and the line was extended by two stops: Chestwood and Tin Wing stop in 1995 (Tin Shui Wai Terminus was renamed Tin Wing after the opening of West Rail line). Two LRT routes were established, route 720 (now 751) to Yau Oi and route 721 Before Changed to (761) Then changed to (761P) to Yuen Long.

West Rail

The system remained essentially unchanged until the completion of the West Rail (now Tuen Ma line) in December 2003. Many changes were made, mainly around the new railway stations. The KCRC designed most railway stations in the LRT area to interchange with the new West Rail line. The idea was to encourage passengers to use the West Rail line instead of the Light Rail for longer journeys, thereby freeing up LRT vehicles for passengers making shorter journeys. For this purpose, an interchange discount system was launched with the introduction of the West Rail line system, meaning that passengers would pay no more (and in some cases less) to travel on West Rail line instead of the LRT for the main part of their journey. Although this most recent extension is the largest ever, no new vehicles were purchased. And although rearrangements were made, some infrequent and unreliable services resulted, causing passengers to blame the lack of vehicles and poor arrangement of new services.[10] The KCRC has since modified the inside of some vehicles to allow more standing room for passengers during peak hours. They also made several route alterations to arrange them better.

In addition to the reconfiguration of light rail tracks around the new West Rail stations, the system was extended to reach northern Tin Shui Wai to serve ongoing development there.[11]

Rolling stock

The system's vehicles consist of five different types of LRVs. All LRVs are uni-directional with driving cab on one side only, 20.2m (66.3feet) long, and have 3 sliding doors fitted on the left side (when facing the running direction from inside). This means that island platforms (except the triangular platform at Siu Hong stop) cannot be used at all in the LRT system and the termini have to feature loops for LRVs to reverse in direction. Hong Kong and Kolkata are the only cities with unidirectional left-handed trams.

Phase I LRVs were built by Comeng and put in service in 1988. They are numbered 1001–1070 and accommodate 43 seated passengers and 161 standees. The driver's cab interior and exterior design was conceived for KCRC by Design Triangle in 1986. Phase II LRVs were built by Kawasaki and entered service in 1992. They are numbered 1071-1090/1201-1210 and accommodate 26 seated and 185 standees. Cars 1071–1090 are cab cars while 1201–1210 are cabless trailers. Phase III LRVs were built by A Goninan and entered service in 1997. They are numbered 1091–1110 and accommodate 26 seated and 212 standees. Phase IV LRVs were manufactured by United Group[12] and CSR and entered service in December 2009. They are numbered 1111–1132 accommodate 37 seated and 248 standees. Phase I LRVs have two wheelchair positions while Phase II, III, IV and V LRVs have three positions. The newest Phase V LRVs were manufactured by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen and entered service on 17 November 2020.[13] They are numbered 1133-1162/1211-1220; 1133-1162 are cab cars while 1211-1220 are cabless trailer. 30 of these are set to replace existing Phase II LRVs, while the other 10 are for expansion.

Traction systems for Phase I and II LRVs consist of GTO thyristor choppers and DC traction motors provided by AEG, while those for the Phase III, IV and V LRVs consist of 2-level IGBTVVVF inverters and asynchronous 3-phase AC traction motors provided by Mitsubishi Electric. The maximum speed for all LRVs is 80km/h, although they rarely reach that speed because of the many grade crossings between stops and the close proximity between stops in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai.

From the exterior it is difficult to differentiate between the first three types of LRVs. There are, however, distinct features that one can use to tell them apart; Phase III LRVs still retain their original green electronic displays while all other LRVs have new orange electronic displays. Phase I cars also have a wide window at the rear that can be opened in case of an emergency, while Phase II cars have a door at the back. The interior of the Phase III cars has a greenish look and the doors are also green. The Phase IV LRVs have a completely different appearance in contrast to the older phase. It has a white exterior livery with olive green and purple line on the side. The shape of the front of the LRV is more streamlined than the older phases. The door opening and closing mechanism was similar to the ones from the K-class cars used in the Tseung Kwan O line and Tung Chung line. The Phase IV has 3 surveillance cameras in each vehicle. Seat belts and wheelchair positions were also available in the Phase IV. On older-generation LRVs there is a perch seat but the Phase IVs do not maintain this feature. The refurbished Phase I LRVs have rounded rectangular windows while Phase IV LRVs have square ones.

The Phase II LRVs will not be refurbished; upon the commissioning of 30 Phase V LRVs, this will see the Phase II LRVs phased out. Withdrawals began on 28 August 2022, with the first two Phase II LRVs (1079 and 1204) removed from Tuen Mun Depot and sent to the scrapyard. On 26 February 2023, the last of the Phase II LRVs were officially withdrawn from service following a retirement ceremony.[14] [15] One of the retired cars now survives at the Ying Wa College and Primary School, transformed into a classroom.[16]

The Phase III LRVs are expected to be rebuilt and repainted with a scheme similar to the Phase IV LRVs.

Stops and routes

Stops

data-sort-type="text" Fare zoneNameRoutesDistrictConnectionsdata-sort-type="date" OpenedCode
1Lung Mun610, 615, 615PTuen MunMTR Bus Route 506, K52A, K52S18 September 1988030
Light Rail Depot020
ButterflyMTR Bus Route 506, K52, K52A, K52S015
Melody Garden010
Tuen Mun Ferry Pier507, 610, 614, 614P, 615, 615PMTR Bus Route 506, K52001
Siu Hei507, 614, 614P17 November 1991240
Tuen Mun Swimming Pool250
Goodview Garden260
Siu Lun505, 507, 614, 614PMTR Bus Route 506265
Sam Shing505MTR Bus Route 506, K51, K51A, K52, K53, K582 February 1992920
2Tsing Shan Tsuen610, 615, 615PTuen MunMTR Bus Route 506, K52A, K52S18 September 1988040
Tsing Wun050
Ming Kum505 (to Sam Shing), 610, 615, 615PMTR Bus Route K58200
Shek Pai505, 610, 615, 615P170
Ngan Wai507, 610230
Tai Hing (South)220
Tai Hing (North)MTR Bus Route K58212
Affluence610, 751080
Choy Yee Bridge507, 751075
Ho TinTuen Ma line Tuen Mun station070
Tuen Mun505, 507, 751Tuen Ma line Tuen Mun station,
MTR Bus Route 506, K51, K51A, K52, 52A, K52S, K53, K58
23 September 1988295
Yau Oi75118 September 1988275
On Ting505, 507, 614, 614P, 751 (to Tin Yat)MTR Bus Route 506270
Town Centre505, 507, 614, 614P, 751MTR Bus Route 506, K51, K51A, K52, K53, K54, K58280
Kin On505MTR Bus Route 506, K52A, K52S, K58060
Shan King (South)505 (to Siu Hong)24 September 1988190
Shan King (North)180
Pui To614, 614P2 February 1992300
Hoh Fuk Tong310
San Hui320
Prime ViewMTR Bus Route K51, K51A330
3Kei Lun505 (to Siu Hong), 615PTuen MunMTR Bus Route K5818 September 1988110
Ching Chung505, 615, 615P24 September 1988120
Kin Sang130
Tin King505, 507, 615, 615P140
Leung King150
San Wai160
Tuen Mun Hospital610, 75118 September 1988090
Fung Tei614, 614PMTR Bus Route K51, K51A2 February 1992340
Siu Hong505, 610, 614, 614P, 615, 615P, 751Tuen Ma line Siu Hong station,
MTR Bus Route K51, K51A, K54, K58
18 September 1988100
Lam Tei610, 614, 615, 751350
Nai Wai360
Chung Uk Tsuen370
4Hung Shui KiuYuen LongMTR Bus Route K75A, K75P18 September 1988380
Ping Shan610, 614, 615, 761PMTR Bus Route K65400
Tong Fong Tsuen390
Hang Mei Tsuen751, 761PMTR Bus Route K65, K65A10 January 1993425
Tin Yiu705, 706, 761PTuen Ma line Tin Shui Wai station,
MTR Bus Route K75A, K75P, K75S
445
LocwoodMTR Bus Route K75P448
Tin ShuiMTR Bus Route K74, K75P460
Tin Shui Wai705, 706, 751, 751PTuen Ma line Tin Shui Wai station,
MTR Bus Route K65, K65A, K75A, K75S, K76, K76S
7 December 2003430
Tin Wu450
Tin TszMTR Bus Route K73, K74435
GinzaMTR Bus Route K73455
Tin WingMTR Bus Route K7426 March 1995500
Chestwood751, 751P490
5AChung Fu705, 706, 751, 751P, 761PYuen LongMTR Bus Route K74, K76, K76S7 December 2003468
Tin FuMTR Bus Route K76, K76S480
Tin YatMTR Bus Route K73, K76, K76S550
Tin Heng705, 706540
Wetland ParkMTR Bus Route K76S530
Tin SauMTR Bus Route K73520
Tin YuetMTR Bus Route K74510
5Shui Pin Wai610, 614, 615, 761PYuen LongMTR Bus Route K6518 September 1988560
Fung Nin RoadMTR Bus Route K65, K66, K66A, K68, K73, K74570
Hong Lok RoadMTR Bus Route K65, K74580
Tai Tong RoadMTR Bus Route K65, K66, K74590
Yuen LongTuen Ma line Yuen Long station,
MTR Bus Route K65, K74
600
Hung Tin Road Emergency Platformwhen service fails, a temporary terminal stop for 610, 614, 615, 751, 761P Yuen Long18 September 1988385

Routes

There are currently 12 routes in the Light Rail system.

The present MTR Bus route 506 retains the number of the Light Rail route that it replaced. Light Rail route 506 ran between Tuen Mun Ferry Pier and Yau Oi via Kin On; it was created in 1988 and was extended from On Ting to Yau Oi in 1992. On 14 July 2002, due to the Light Rail grade separation works on Pui To Road, the route was suspended in its entirety and replaced by bus route 506.[18] The suspension was originally intended to be temporary, but the Light Rail route was never resumed.

Fares

The Light Rail is the only public transport system in Hong Kong to have fare zones and the only one with an honour system, in which there are no ticket gates. These fare zones apply only to passengers purchasing single-ride tickets from ticketing machines at LRT stops. Since the introduction of Octopus cards, however, passengers have a choice of ticketing options. All fares indicated below are for adults, while children and the elderly usually pay the concessionary fare, which is about half the adult fare.

Single-ride tickets

There are six fare zones – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5A – for passengers purchasing single-ride tickets in Light Rail stops. Zone 5A was introduced solely for the latest extension in Tin Shui Wai, and both zones 5 and 5A are only connected to Zone 4. Therefore, travelling between zones 5 and 5A is considered as travelling through three zones.

Octopus cards

Octopus card fares are calculated based on the minimum number of stops travelled (from origin to destination stops), rather than the number of fare zones travelled through. All stops have Octopus entry and exit processors at the entrances to and exits from platforms. Passengers may enter the system after scanning their Octopus card at an orange 'Entry Processor' reader. At this point, the maximum fare is deducted from the card. On completion of a journey, the card previously read by an 'Entry Processor' must be scanned at a dark-green 'Exit Processor', where the maximum fare less the fare incurred is refunded. Failure to do so within the time limit would cause the fare difference to be forfeited. If a person exits the same platform with the same card within 5 minutes, the fare deducted will be fully refunded.

Light-blue 'Enquiry Processors' can also be found on most platforms. Like enquiry processors found in other places, passengers can check the balance on their card, along with the 10 most recent Octopus transactions. If a Personalised Octopus card is used, the number of Light Rail credits accumulated is also shown.

Passengers using Personalised Octopus cards are able to participate in the Light Rail Bonus Scheme. A card on which fares totalling HK$30 (adults) or HK$15 (children/seniors) or more are paid over six consecutive days gets an automatic credit of HK$3 (adults) or HK$1.5 (children/seniors).

Passengers using Octopus cards that are registered with the MTR Club are automatically enrolled into the MTR Club Bonus Scheme. Members can earn Bonus Points by riding on the MTR, Airport Express, Light Rail and MTR Bus with their registered Octopus card during the promotion period. Members can then redeem these points for exclusive rewards. Passengers can visit the MTR website for the information of the gift during that particular promotion period.[28]

Incidents

References

Notes

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hong Kong e-Legislation Cap. 372E North-West Railway By-Laws. 2022-08-01.
  2. Web site: Transport. Hong Kong: The Facts. Hong Kong Government. 25 March 2015.
  3. News: Jim. Timothy. LRT operator must pay $280m premium. South China Morning Post. 26 February 1983.
  4. News: Jim. Timothy. KCR offered LRT system. South China Morning Post. 23 November 1983.
  5. News: Jim. Timothy. KCR to study Light Rail to NT. South China Morning Post. 20 December 1983.
  6. Runnacles, T.V. (January 1989). "Tramway Developments in Hong Kong / Part 6: The Tuen Mun—Yuen Long LRT system". Modern Tramway & Light Rail Transit, pp. 3–18. Ian Allan Publishing/Light Rail Transit Association.
  7. Web site: Cap 372 Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation Ordinance. Hong Kong e-Legislation. Department of Justice. 17 March 2017.
  8. Web site: LCQ15: Mass Transit Railway By-laws and Mass Transit Railway (North-west Railway) Bylaw. Legislative Council. 13 May 2015.
  9. Dateline Hong Kong 8-8-88 Transit Australia January 1989 pages 3-10
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PzMUSVcZ1M (8 December 2003)亞洲電視-輕鐵新支線第一個工作天
  11. Web site: KCRC Light Rail Tin Shui Wai extensions to open on 7 December . Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . 28 November 2003.
  12. Web site: Light Rail Vehicle . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170713050142/http://cdn.ugllimited.com/Asset/cms/Passengerr_Product_Brochures/084_LRV_ProductSheet_V5_WEB.pdf . 13 July 2017 . UGL Limited.
  13. https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/press_release/PR-16-067-E.pdf
  14. Web site: Standard . The . MTR to retire 30-year-old light rail trains . 2023-03-31 . The Standard . en.
  15. https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/press_release/PR-23-013-E.pdf
  16. Web site: 2023-02-26 . Trains of thought: Hong Kong mass transit rail carriages become seats of learning . 2023-06-22 . South China Morning Post . en.
  17. Web site: . Light Rail Route Map . https://web.archive.org/web/20030426005506/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/eng/services/services/images/lr_route.gif . 26 April 2003 . dead . 26 August 2002.
  18. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . Light Rail introduces two temporary bus routes during works . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213144218/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2002/020705.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 5 July 2002.
  19. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . New elevated Light Rail section brought into service . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213140018/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2003/030830.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 30 August 2003.
  20. Web site: . 輕鐵路線圖 . https://web.archive.org/web/20040406022925/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/chi/services/services/images/lr_route_big.jpg . 6 April 2004 . dead . zh-Hant . 31 March 2004.
  21. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . KCRC strengthens Light Rail feeder service . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213140018/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2004/040401.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 1 April 2004.
  22. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . KCRC augments Light Rail service for back-to-school period . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213132502/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2004/040816.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 4 August 2004.
  23. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . 輕鐵路線圖 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051018173453/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/chi/services/services/images/lr_route_big.jpg . 18 October 2005 . dead . zh-Hant . 13 August 2004.
  24. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . New Light Rail route 701 to commence service tomorrow . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213134709/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2003/031215.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 15 December 2003.
  25. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . KCRC introduces Light Rail route 706 for Tin Shui Wai . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213133642/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2004/040407.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 7 April 2004.
  26. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . KCRC Light Rail Tin Shui Wai extensions to open on 7 December . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213135147/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2003/031128b.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 28 November 2003.
  27. Web site: Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation . Light Rail service improvement . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213121051/http://www.kcrc.com.hk/en/announcements/2006/060927.html . 13 December 2018 . dead . 27 September 2006.
  28. Web site: MTR > MTR Club Bonus Points Scheme. www.mtr.com.hk. 8 April 2018.
  29. News: Ball. Steve. Secret report on LRT crash calls for safety moves. South China Morning Post. 27 September 1994.
  30. News: LRT boosts safety after crash deaths. South China Morning Post. 2 October 1994. 2.
  31. News: Szeto. Wanda. LRT train derailed by vandals. 11 July 2014. South China Morning Post. 13 January 1995.
  32. News: Lo. Clifford. Wan. Adrian. Wong. Martin. Building crane topples onto LRT train. South China Morning Post. 10 September 2010.
  33. News: Baby among 77 injured after train derails in Tin Shui Wai. South China Morning Post. 18 May 2013.
  34. Web site: Record of train service disruptions of 31 Minutes or above caused by equipment failure or human factor from 2011 to October 2015. Legislative Council. 9 December 2015.
  35. Web site: Man killed by light rail train in Tin Shui Wai. 19 August 2013. 6 September 2013. South China Morning Post. Lai Ying-kit.
  36. News: Twenty hurt in Light Rail-Bus crash . 21 November 2014 . The Standard . 21 November 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150401113435/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=54941&icid=3&d_str= . 1 April 2015 .
  37. Web site: Kong . Dimsumdaily Hong . 2023-07-23 . Human error involved in Tuen Mun Ferry Pier Station Light Rail collision, driver suspended . 2024-05-19 . Dimsum Daily . en-US.
  38. Web site: 2023-10-04 . Human error may have caused Hong Kong light rail train collision: MTR Corp . 2024-05-19 . South China Morning Post . en.
  39. Web site: 2024-05-18 . Hong Kong police arrest truck driver in connection with train derailment . 2024-05-19 . South China Morning Post . en.