The MTR Corporation is making its final preparation for the opening of Tuen Ma Line (TML) Phase 1 on 14th February 2020, commencing services at three new stations, namely Hin Keng Station, the expanded part of Diamond Hill Station and Kai Tak Station. The MTR Corporation will provide special fare promotions for TML Phase 1.
Upon the opening of TML Phase 1, passengers travelling on the Ma On Shan Line (MOL) will be able to travel to Kai Tak Station in East Kowloon via Hin Keng Station and Diamond Hill Station without the need to interchange. The expanded Diamond Hill Station will become a new interchange station between TML and the Kwun Tong Line, allowing passengers to travel from the New Territories (NT) North and NT East districts to the East Kowloon and Hong Kong Island East districts in a more efficient and convenient manner. Such new routing will help relieve the current peak passenger load between Tai Wai and Kowloon Tong Stations on the East Rail Line.
At the end of January, all passenger trains on the MOL will carry out non-passenger trains testing along the new railway section, i.e. between Hin Keng and Kai Tak Stations. Train frequency of the MOL during peak hours will be slightly adjusted to around 3.5 minutes intervals, similar to the operation arrangements upon TML Phase 1 Opening. Passengers are reminded to pay attention to our announcement and arrangements.
The timing for the full opening of TML would depend on the implementation of the suitable measures at Hung Hom Station extension and its connecting structures, and is expected to take place in 2021. As part of the MTR network, the new line will adopt the existing distance-based fare structure of the network (Please refer to Annex I for “Examples of TML Phase 1 Fares”). For instance, the fare between Kai Tak Station and Central Station for Adult Octopus holders is $12.7.
Ms Jeny Yeung, Commercial Director of the MTR Corporation said: ‘To promote TML Phase 1, the MTR Corporation will introduce Hin Keng / Kai Tak Station Fare Discount. Adult Octopus holders can save $1 when travelling on MTR domestic and crossboundary journeys by entering or exiting at Hin Keng or Kai Tak Stations, whilst other Octopus holders (including children, elderly, persons with disabilities and students) will enjoy a $0.5 fare discount. Furthermore, to benefit a wider catchment beyond TML Phase 1, there will be special interchange discounts for passengers connecting to and from the designated stations. The two promotions will last until the full commissioning of the TML.’
Subject to the completion of the negotiation with the Government and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, and the finalisation of relevant legal documentations, the MTR Corporation is expected to be appointed as the operator for TML Phase 1 service.
