CE Rides Tuen Ma Line Ahead Of Service's Launch

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Saturday officiated at the launch of the final section of the Tuen Ma line, a day before trains start carrying people on the 56-kilometre long route.

When it opens to passengers on Sunday, the Tuen Ma line will become the longest in Hong Kong, connecting the existing West Rail and Ma On Shan lines through new stations – To Kwa Wan and Sung Wong Toi – in east Kowloon.

It will comprise 27 stations, running from Wu Kai Sha to Tuen Mun.

Lam rode a train from To Kwa Wan to Sung Wong Toi before attending the launch ceremony on Saturday.

"With the SAR's electoral systems perfected and the Legislative Council returning as a sensible discussion platform, the administration's governance effectiveness can be raised, and this can help the push for major infrastructural developments," said the CE, as she pledged to continue to improve the city's transport networks.

She also pointed out the construction of the rail line had faced challenges, including the discovery of relics near Sung Wong Toi station, which now includes an exhibition area in its concourse to display more than 400 artefacts.

The MTR Corporation said it has arranged a special train departing from the new Sung Wong Toi station to Tuen Mun in the western New Territories at 5:50am to celebrate the new service on Sunday.

The Tuen Ma line was scheduled to be in full operation in 2019 but faced a series of delays, including the discovery of relics and a shoddy-work scandal at Hung Hom station.