MTR plans shorter platform doors
8 January 2008
Hong Kong Standard
The MTR Corp will spend HK$300 million installing 1.5-meter-tall
platform screen doors at nine elevated stations, it announced
yesterday.
The company also plans to build public washrooms on the ground
floor in three stations.
Before MTRC and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp merged last month, the
MTR had installed platform screen doors at 30 stations.
The screen doors at Tsuen Wan, Kwai Hing, Kwai Fong, Heng Fa Chuen,
Chai Wan, Kowloon Bay, Ngau Tau Kok and Kwun Tong will be completed
by 2012.
MTR said installing full-size screen doors on elevated platforms
was as complicated as rebuilding an entire station since
ventilation systems had to be completely remodeled.
In addition, some platforms could not support the weight of screen
doors.
It therefore decided shorter gates, such as those used at the
Disneyland Resort station, were more suitable for elevated
platforms.
The washrooms will be built at Prince Edward, Quarry Bay and Ngau
Tau Kok stations.
Less than half of the 82 MTR stations have washrooms, although
there are facilities within four minutes' walking distance of 90
percent of the stations.
The company said it will find more sites for washrooms before
seeking approval.
It will spend HK$13 million on the washroom project, which should
be completed in 12 months.
