Hong Kong Immigration and Business: CRRC Corporation Limited announced on the 23rd that its subsidiary, Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., has won the bid for the Hong Kong urban subway train project, with a total value of approximately 4.84 billion RMB. This marks the largest subway order in CRRC's history.
According to the order, MTR Corporation Limited will purchase 93 subway trains (744 cars) from Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., making it the largest rolling stock procurement in MTR's history.
It is understood that the 93 subway trains purchased by MTR will fully replace the first-generation trains currently operating on the Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line, and Tseung Kwan O Line. These trains will be equipped with more advanced operating systems and equipment, and will be delivered successively between 2018 and 2023.
According to a relevant CRRC official, these trains will feature several innovative functions, such as a new generation of lighting systems to enhance the sense of space; the introduction of new dynamic route maps to provide passengers with more information, reflecting an "Internet+" atmosphere; the adoption of ring-shaped handrails to allow more standing passengers to hold on; and the use of softer, ergonomic, and stylish materials for the hanging hand straps to make them more comfortable for passengers.
The Hong Kong subway network has an average daily ridership of over 5.4 million, making it one of the world-class railway systems with the highest passenger density.
