Sha Tin to Central Link

Sha Tin to Central Link
沙田至中環線
Overview
OwnerKCR Corporation
LocaleDistricts: Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong, Wan Chai, Central and Western
Termini
Stations
  • 8 (phase 1)
  • 2 (phase 2)
Service
TypeHeavy rail
SystemMTR
Operator(s)MTR Corporation
Depot(s)Tai Wai, Hung Hom, Pat Heung
Rolling stockSP1900 EMU, Hyundai Rotem EMU, CRRC Changchun EMU
History
OpenedTuen Ma line:
  • 14 February 2020; 4 years ago (2020-02-14) (Tai Wai-Kai Tak)
  • 27 June 2021; 3 years ago (2021-06-27) (Kai Tak-Hung Hom)
East Rail line: 15 May 2022; 2 years ago (2022-05-15) (Hung Hom-Admiralty)
ClosedWest Rail line: 27 June 2021; 3 years ago (2021-06-27)
Technical
Line length17 km (11 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC
Route map

Colour legend
East Rail line ext. (2022)


Tai Wai
Tai Wai Depot
Hin Keng
Diamond Hill
Kai Tak
Sung Wong Toi[1]
To Kwa Wan[2]
Yau Ma Tei
Ho Man Tin
Whampoa
Hung Hom
Stabling sidings
Exhibition Centre[3]
Admiralty
Sha Tin to Central Link
Traditional Chinese沙田至中環線
Simplified Chinese沙田至中环线
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinShātián zhì Zhōnghuán Xiàn
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingsaa1 tin4 zi3 zung1 waan4 sin3
SCL
Traditional Chinese沙中線
Simplified Chinese沙中线
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinShā Zhōng Xiàn
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanizationsā jūng sin
Jyutpingsaa1 zung1 sin3
Timeline of the Sha Tin to Central Link
Date Event
1960s Predecessor East Kowloon line was proposed by British consultant Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates
2000 Sha Tin to Central Link first appeared in the government document Railway Development Strategy 2000
2002 KCRC won its bid to build SCL, building an independent line from Tai Wai to Central West
2005 KCRC modified its 2002 plan, making East Kowloon portion of the line join Ma On Shan Rail at Tai Wai and West Rail at Hung Hom. The East Rail would extend to Central West
MTRC submitted a new proposal: extending Kwun Tong Line to Whampoa, and building a new independent line from Tai Wai to Central West (similar to KCRC 2002 plan)
2006 MTR–KCR merger was confirmed. Non-binding memorandum of understanding signed by government and MTRC. Yet, SCL would be built in accordance to KCRC 2005 plan, while Kwun Tong line extension would also be constructed
2007 MTR–KCR merger
2008 MTRC announced a revised proposal, fully funded by government
2012 Executive Council approved and construction began
2015 First rolling stock for East West line arrived in Hong Kong
2016 Kwun Tong line extension commence
11-kilometre tunnel of East West line was fully broken through
2018 Whistleblowing on poor construction quality at the Hung Hom station

A Commission of Inquiry is appointed by Chief Executive of HKSAR government

2019 Commencement of whole SCL postponed

SCL (Phase 1) split into Tuen Ma line First Phase and Second Phase due to construction quality of Hung Hom station. The name "Ma On Shan line" is made obsolete as it began operating as "Tuen Ma line phase 1".

2021 Tuen Ma line begins full operation. The name "West Rail line" is made obsolete as it was fully absorbed by Tuen Ma line.
2022 The East Rail Line extension begins full operations, and all Metro Cammell EMUs of it has retired.

The Sha Tin to Central Link (abbreviated SCL; Chinese: 沙中線; Cantonese Yale: sā jūng sin) was an expansion project of the MTR public transport network in Hong Kong. It was divided into two sections and expanded the network’s heavy rail lines.

The first section, named "Tuen Ma line (Phase 1)”, runs from Tai Wai station in the New Territories to Hung Hom station in Kowloon. The Tai Wai–Hung Hom segment connected the Ma On Shan line and West Rail line, forming the new Tuen Ma line. Operation of the Tai Wai to Kai Tak section began on 14 February 2020.[4] The opening of the section from Kai Tak to Hung Hom was delayed and opened on 27 June 2021.[5][6]

In anticipation of the Tuen Ma line, the existing Kwun Tong line was extended from its previous terminus at Yau Ma Tei to Whampoa station. This extension includes the new Ho Man Tin station to provide interchange with the Tuen Ma line. The Kwun Tong line extension was opened on 23 October 2016.[7] While it was done in conjunction with the Sha Tin to Central Link, it is not considered a direct component of the project.

The second section (Phase 2) extended the East Rail line from Hung Hom in Kowloon to Admiralty on Hong Kong Island via a newly constructed station at Exhibition Centre. It opened on 15 May 2022.[8]

  1. ^ Sung Wong Toi station was known as "To Kwa Wan station" during planning.
  2. ^ To Kwa Wan station was known as "Ma Tau Wai station" during planning.
  3. ^ Exhibition Centre station was known as "Exhibition station" during planning.
  4. ^ "Partial opening of scandal-hit Sha Tin-Central MTR link set for Valentine's Day, Hong Kong transport minister reveals". South China Morning Post. 17 January 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  5. ^ "LCQ1: Construction Works at and near Hung Hom Station Extension under Shatin to Central Link Project". Legislative Council. 3 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Progress Update on the Construction of the Shatin to Central Link" (PDF). MTR Corporation. 5 June 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  7. ^ "MTR Updates Construction Progress on SIL(E) and KTE Railway Projects" (PDF). MTR Corporation. 12 June 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  8. ^ "MTR – Shatin to Central Link – Project Details – Programme". MTR Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.