MTR pledges no compromise on Northern Link safety

MTR Corporation's chief executive, Jeny Yeung, has vowed to maintain uncompromising safety standards for the Northern Link line, despite a substantial reduction in the project's estimated cost. This pledge follows the government's approval of the second phase of the project, which is now expected to cost roughly HK$86.2 billion, around 28 percent less than originally anticipated due to a shortened construction period and cost-saving measures.

During a televised interview, Yeung expressed confidence that the project would not exceed budget, emphasizing the corporation's commitment to rigorous cost control and the utilization of cutting-edge technology and innovative strategies. She further explained that the Northern Link would likely adopt equipment compliant with mainland railway standards, thanks to the introduction of the Hong Kong Railway Standards in February, which for the first time blend mainland and international frameworks.

Yeung revealed that the government has allocated eight sites along the Northern Link for residential and commercial development, although not all are expected to be offered for market tender by 2034, when both the main line and spur line are set to open simultaneously. Sites near completed stations, such as Kwu Tung, will be prioritized for development.

The corporation is currently working on seven separate projects, with the peak construction phase anticipated to begin in 2029. Regarding a recent incident where substandard pillars were discovered at Tung Chung West Station, Yeung reassured that the MTR remains on track to meet the original commissioning timeline of December 2029. She explained that staff immediately suspended work upon detecting irregularities during routine inspections and conducted further investigations, uncovering additional issues.

The MTR expressed its seriousness in addressing the irregularities and pledged to keep the public informed of further developments.