On July 23, 2015, CRRC announce that CRRC Sifang had won the bidding for Hong Kong urban line subway project worth RMB 4.84 billion. Previously, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTR) also issued a press release saying that it had made the largest ever investment in railway vehicles and purchased 93 metro trains (744 cars) from CRRC Sifang. This was not only the largest purchase of railway vehicles in the history of MTR, but also China's largest single order for metro cars.
MTR has been committed to providing passengers with a high level of train services through asset renewal strategy. The above 93 subway trains will fully replace the first generation of trains currently used for the Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line and Tseung Kwan O Line. These metro trains will be equipped with more advanced operating systems and equipment and will be delivered between 2018 and 2023.
MTR CEO Lincoln Leong Kwok-kuen said: “This is MTR's largest ever order for new trains and a very important investment, so as to maintain our world-class railway services. We will continue to provide passengers with safe, reliable, and convenient train services.”
The trains will have some new features. For instance, a new generation of lighting system will be used to enhance the sense of space. A new dynamic roadmap will be introduced to provide passengers with more information and create an “Internet +” environment. Ring handrails will be used, so that more standing passengers can grip the armrest. In addition to ergonomic and stylish design, soft materials will be used for the handrails, so that the passengers will feel more comfortable when gripping the handrails.