Hong Kong's MTR Corp hires independent expert to look into train faults
Hong Kong's rail operator the MTR Corporation has commissioned an independent investigation into faults that left engineering trains stranded on the tracks and led to two rail disruptions in three months on the same line.
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MTR chairman Rex Auyeung said on Wednesday the firm had hired an independent expert to look into the incidents after the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department expressed grave concerns last month over two engineering train-related incidents and pledged to conduct a special audit of the rail giant's maintenance capabilities.
'About the two incidents, I hope that it won't happen again and I would like to apologise to the affected passengers,' he said.
'We will conduct an independent investigation and we've invited an independent expert to review the overall operation of our engineering trains and see what improvements need to be made.'
Last month, an engineering train used for inspecting overhead cables
malfunctioned near Fo Tan station on the East Rail line, causing more than six hours of service disruptions and adding 10 to 15 minutes to travel times.
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In February, another engineering train used for lifting operations
broke down near Tai Wo station on the same line, also causing disruptions and delays.
According to the department, preliminary findings suggested that the incident in April was due to an equipment fault that hindered the train's lifting platform from descending.
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