Even Hong Kong’s MTR Isn’t Safe From MRT’s Signaling Faults

Signalling Faults Hit MTR

For years, Hong Kong’s MTR system has been seen as a beacon of reliability. In contrast, our MRT has been viewed as ailing and in desperate need of help.

Our transport minister Khaw Boon Wan even said that the MTR was “the best in class”.

Well, not anymore. On Tuesday (16 October) morning, the MTR suffered delays on at least 4 major lines. And surprise, surprise, a signaling fault caused all this chaos.

Source

The signaling glitch occurred in at least 3 major subway lines: the Island, Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan lines.

It isn’t clear if a signaling glitch caused the outage on the 4th line.

Source

The system carries nearly 6 million passengers every weekday, so you can only imagine how chaotic Hong Kong must be right now.

And as we know all too well, a train disruption can also affect other modes of transport.

Traffic slowed to a crawl, with a 17km drive from Argyle Street to the Eastern Harbour tunnel taking about 83 minutes today. The drive usually takes 25 minutes.

 

Uber fares surged in the island-city as well. A 6km trip from Ho Man Tin to Causeway Bay cost HK$220 (S$38), double the usual fare.

Our fascination

Singapore’s fascination with the MTR goes back a long time. The MTR is often-cited as one of the best rapid transit systems in the world, given its reliability of 99%.

And it’s not just policymakers who hold this view. In 2015, an average Singaporean, Mr Chan Lai Ying wrote in to TODAY to express his view that Singapore had to learn a lot from the MTR.

If Hong Kong can have an efficient transport network, I believe Singapore can have one too.

There is much Singapore can learn from Hong Kong.

Featured image from Twitter.

The Must Share News Team

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Recent Posts

Giant has up to 63% off Ferrero Rocher, Carlsberg beer & Pokka green tea for all your CNY needs

Shop this weekend to avoid last-minute scrambles.

11 Jan 2025, 12:00 pm

Delta Air Lines pilot in US delays flight so passenger can see dying mum one last time

The aircrew even bumped her to first class so she could disembark faster.

11 Jan 2025, 11:43 am

Commentary: PAP & PSP’s playground squabble deserves an eye-rolling emoji

The spat between the two parties does not reflect well on either side and voters…

11 Jan 2025, 8:09 am

Admiralty temperature drops to 22°C amid continuous rain on 10 Jan, flash flood alerts issued in the east

Changi had the heaviest rainfall, with 154.2mm of rain recorded as of 11pm.

11 Jan 2025, 4:01 am

More Chinese nationals reported missing in Thailand after actor Wang Xing is rescued

Thai police said they're investigating the disappearances.

11 Jan 2025, 2:26 am

Bus mounts grass verge next to Bedok Reservoir HDB block, 74-year-old driver assisting investigations

It narrowly missed a lamppost and tree by the side of the road.

10 Jan 2025, 11:44 pm