MTR pledges no compromise on Northern Link safety

MTR Corporation's chief executive, Jeny Yeung, has pledged that the safety and quality standards of the Northern Link line will not be compromised despite a significantly lower cost forecast. This follows the government's approval of the project's second phase, which has resulted in the entire railway link costing about HK$86.2 billion, roughly 28% less than the initial estimates due to a shortened construction period and cost-saving measures.

Yeung emphasized the company's commitment to controlling costs and leveraging innovative technology during the project. The Northern Link will likely adopt equipment compliant with mainland railway standards, facilitating greater procurement flexibility since the Hong Kong Railway Standards were introduced in February. The government has granted eight sites for residential and commercial development, with some sites potentially developed before 2034 when the main line and spur line are set to open concurrently.

Currently, MTR is working on seven separate projects, with the peak construction phase expected to commence in 2029. Despite discovering substandard pillars at Tung Chung West Station, the company aims to meet the original commissioning timeline of December 2029, and Yeung emphasized the company's commitment to transparency regarding the issue.