Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation (www.mtr.com), which runs the Hong Kong metro system, has confirmed its largest-ever rolling-stock order; it is to renew trains on the Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island and Tseung Kwan O lines.

CSR Sifang, a Chinese rolling-stock manufacturer based in Qingdao (Shandong province), has been awarded a HK$6 billion contract for 93 eight-car metro trains, which will be delivered between 2018 and 2023.

Lincoln Leong, chief executive officer of MTR Corporation, said: “This is the largest-ever order of new trains in MTR’s history. We originally planned to replace 78 eight-car trains that have been in service for about 30 years; but in view of the competitive tenders received — and after weighing the benefits of having a uniform train fleet equipped with more up-to-date systems — we decided that it would be better value for money to exercise the option included in the tender to replace all 93 first-generation eight-car trains in one go.”