Tsuen Wan Line's new signalling system, $2 flat rate or 20 per cent off - Issue 15 (April 2026)
In this issue
- New signalling system and trains for the Tsuen Wan Line
- 80 per cent off for the $2 scheme: is it good?
- New bus route for Long Tin Court
Transformation for the Tsuen Wan Line: New Signalling System and New Trains
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As part of the service commitments to improve passenger experience, MTR is progressively replacing the thirty-year-old signalling system on the Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, Island Line, and also on the Tseung Kwan O Line ("urban rail lines"), with a new CBTC-based system run by new trains. The new system is targeted to raise the reliability of the rail lines to better handle passenger demands, especially during peak hours.
The last time that this has occurred was on the East Rail Line in 2021. The upgrades not only replaced the signalling system and trains, but also rerouted and extended the rail line to Admiralty, and introduced automatic platform gates for existing stations.
New signalling system
First, here is a brief of what CBTC is.
The new CBTC system, SelTrac, is the same system used on MTR's own Tuen Ma Line as well as the APM system at Hong Kong International Airport. Rail equipment manufacturers Thales[a] and Alstom were selected to provide a custom-made CBTC for use on the urban rail lines, based on the high reliability of the Tuen Ma Line, with the first implementation happening on the Tsuen Wan Line. The new system went well during the early stages of the testing phase. However, on 18 March 2019, two trains struck each other at a crossover near Central Station when testing its backup signalling system during the early hours of the morning, causing a total halt in the implementation of the new signalling system. MTR once decided that when the new Q-Trains enter service, they will totally use the existing (fixed block) signalling system.
MTR formally announced that SelTrac would be put into service on the Tsuen Wan Line on 15 March 2025, using the standard system architecture, replacing the fixed block system that ran reliably for thirty years. The new system appeared to behave normally as expected, although MTR warned of any glitches that would impact train services. MTR also warned that some of the train headways would be adjusted as well. Criticism was raised when a 17-minute headway was found near the midnight hours in the timetable for the Tsuen Wan-bound by the public, causing the rail operator to disclose more information about the timetable change, and stated that maintenance vehicles changing signalling systems were the main reason.
New trains
With the new signalling system running smoothly for two weeks, MTR puts a Q-Train (set number 3) into service on the Tsuen Wan Line at about 10:15 am on 28 March 2026, marking the first time that the line runs in a mixed fleet since 2001, when K-Trains briefly ran on that line. Before that, the Tsuen Wan Line was the final urban rail line to run with an exclusive fleet of M-Trains, modernised between 1999 and 2001, and are over forty years old. This is also the first time that Q-Trains have run with the new signalling system since the first unit was introduced in 2024.
On the first day of the Q-Train service on the Tsuen Wan Line, many rail enthusiasts gathered at Tsuen Wan Station as early as two hours before the departure time of the service. When the train entered the platform two minutes before the departure time, many captured the occasion using their cameras and smartphones, as well as cheering on the train. When the doors opened, they instantly rushed inside to fill every space in the compartment. Passenger information screens were showing videos about the new train on the Tsuen Wan Line occasionally along the journey. At 10:55 am, the cheering was again heard as the train started moving out of the platform towards Tai Wo Hau Station. During the journey, some rail enthusiasts mock the onboard pre-recorded announcements sounded through the PA system about the next station, which was strange enough to attract attention from other normal passengers. Some of them even felt grateful that they were not in the scene of the first run.
As of 4 April 2026, there are three Q-Trains in service on the Tsuen Wan Line[b], as well as 15 sets on the Island Line[c] and another 13 sets on the Kwun Tong Line[d]. As more Q-Trains enter service, they will gradually replace the reliable, but aging M-Trains, and create a new picture on the urban rail lines.
$2 Flat Rate or 20 Per cent Off: Positive or Negative?
On 23 March 2026, the government announced the change of the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ("$2 scheme") from a fixed, flat HK$2 fare per trip to $2 Flat Rate or 20 Per cent Off, aiming to reduce subsidies to the transport operators and to correct the poor habits of using long-distance transport services for short-haul hops. Some individuals and stakeholders were concerned that this would change the commuting habits of those affected, as the new arrangement would incur extra costs for them. The question is: is this revised $2 scheme good or bad for the government, $2 scheme travellers, and other stakeholders?
Before the revised $2 scheme
The original traces of the $2 scheme go back to Donald Tsang, when he announced the framework of the scheme in his Policy Address in early 2011. Before that, the elderly were already enjoying HK$2 flat fares on weekends and public holidays on the MTR. When the scheme was first rolled out in 2012, it was quickly expanded into many types of public transportation in Hong Kong. Some opinions, at that time, said it could do better in the scheme, as well as in other aspects, to enhance the welfare of society.
In this scheme, the elderly (65 or above before 2024, 60 after 2024) and eligible persons with disabilities ("eligible persons") would only have to pay a fixed, flat fare of HK$2 per ride, with the government subsidising the rest of the fares to the operators. The scheme was quickly found to be misused, mostly by the elderly, by taking long-distance bus routes to stops spanning less than a kilometre, while paying just HK$2. Their reasons were mainly regarding their comfort, as they were reluctant to walk even for a few minutes. Some people observed that buses on those long-distance bus routes would have stopped longer because of those passengers. Over the years, this would become serious, and the government would spend more and more money on the subsidies—in the fiscal year of 2023-24, the subsidies were expected to be HK$4.05 billion.
In 2022, the government promoted the correct use of the $2 scheme by publicity material calling all eligible persons to properly use the scheme by taking short-haul bus routes, if available, for short journeys, as well as promoting the use of dual-way section fares, in an attempt to lower government subsidies. Unfortunately, this approach proved to be ineffective and unreliable, and the improper commuting habits of the eligible persons still continued.
In 2024, the age of eligibility was lowered to 60. To prevent the misuse of the $2 scheme by ineligible persons (who would be prosecuted), a new personal Octopus card, called the JoyYou Card, was issued to those eligible for the scheme. All Hong Kong residents aged 60 or above must apply for this type of card to continue enjoying the scheme; anonymous Octopus cards for the elderly would be ineligible for the scheme and would have to pay half of the adult fares, or full adult fares where applicable.
Revising the $2 scheme
In the 2025-26 Budget announced by Financial Secretary Paul Chan in 2025, the change was laid with restrictions and limits to the $2 scheme to rectify the deficits caused by the misuse of the problem. The first stage, which would have eligible persons paying 80 per cent off of the adult fares[e] or HK$2[f] for each journey, was announced on 27 March 2026 and later took effect on 3 April. The second stage, which limits the number of subsidised trips of each calendar month to 240, is expected to be in effect in 2027.
On the first day of the revised scheme, many media outlets interviewed elderly and other eligible persons about the scheme to see how their commuting habits would change, and some media outlets tested it using their employees who were eligible persons under the scheme. One of the media, TVB News, however, discovered a bug[g] in the rebating system that KMB gave to the riders for taking long-distance bus routes within selected areas. The bug would fully rebate passengers aged between 60 and 65, using JoyYou Cards on long-distance bus routes for short-haul bus journeys within Tseung Kwan O, causing affected journeys to become free rides. The bug angered the government, and KMB was urged to provide a report within weeks to probe the cause and to pledge that this would never happen again.
So, is it good or bad?
Some opinions praised the approach by the government to save its burden for other usage, as well as an approach to correct the misuse problem caused by the original scheme. On the other hand, most critics, especially the eligible persons, focused on how much extra burden they would have to spend over time. Some criticised that the revised scheme would create more barriers for the eligible persons, making them reluctant to make frequent long journeys to far places. Others feared that some bus operators would reduce frequencies of many bus routes, causing buses to become more crowded, and was negative for those living far apart from railway stations.
The effect of this revised $2 scheme is unclear. What about your opinions on this $2 scheme? You are welcome to fill in the form to reflect your opinions (link below).
Further reading
- $2 Scheme on Chinese Wikipedia
- $2 Scheme on hkbus, hkrail and hkferry Fandoms (all in Chinese)
- $2 Scheme webpage by the Transport Department
New Bus Route for Yuen Long: KMB Route 63 for Long Tin Court
On 13 April 2026, KMB started operating bus route 63 connecting the newly developed Long Tin Court near Ping Shan, Yuen Long, and Tuen Mun Highway Bus-bus Interchange. The bus route is to cater to the transportation needs of the new housing development when it first receives new residents.
The bus route includes special departures via Tong Yan San Tsuen, bringing public buses into the vicinity for the first time.
The full fare of this bus route is HK$10.2, with multiple section fares throughout the route:
| Section | Fares |
|---|---|
| Full | HK$10.2 |
| Tuen Yan Street to Tuen Mun Road BBI | HK$9.6 |
| Tuen Mun Town Hall to Long Tin Court | HK$7.2 |
| (for special trips via Tong Yan Sun Tsuen) Tai Tao Tsuen to Long Tin Court | HK$5.8 |
Dual-way section fares also apply on this bus route for trips to Waldorf Garden. The dual way fares are HK$7.2 when boarding before Hung Tin Road, and HK$5.7 for boarding at Hung Tin Road and afterwards.
Services of the bus route were 6:30 am to 11:30 pm daily, with the special trips departing from Long Tin Court at 7:20 am, and from Tuen Mun Road BBI at 18:50.
KMB is considering new bus routes to Sham Shui Po and High Speed Rail West Kowloon Station via Tai Lam Tunnel in the future, and will announce further details after receiving approval from the Transport Department.
Other highlights for March—April 2026
- On 13 March 2026, the Transport Department announced the 2026-2027 bus route planning programme, aiming to improve bus services by suggesting bus route alterations in routing, timetables, and fares, and also canceling the operations of the least popular bus routes.
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- On 19 March 2026, Park Island Transport introduced its first double-decker bus from KMB, a second-hand bus that originated from Long Win Bus back in 2011. It mostly ran on bus route NR338S, a ferry-replacement bus service to and from Hong Kong Station, which was provided every two hours during off-peak hours. At the same time, the transport operator terminated the employment of some employees operating ferry services, causing rumors about the total replacement of ferry services by buses among the residents on the island.
- An accident happened on the MTR East Rail Line at approximately 4:35 pm on 27 March 2026, when a passenger activated the detrainment device at the end of a northbound train and entered the rails. He was later found to have received injuries from an electric shock. This caused a two-and-a-half-hour disruption with train services between Kowloon Tong and Tai Wai being suspended, jeopardising the returning commuters as it happened during the evening peak hours.
- The Transport Department is planning new public transport arrangements at the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen after it has been reopened. This includes tendering three new bus routes to Kwai Chung, Ma On Shan, and Tuen Mun, as well as extending existing bus and GMB routes to the new checkpoint building, and cancelling the shuttle bus services to and from San Tin PTI and Huanggang.
- Citybus route 43M was cancelled on 19 April 2026 and merged into cross-harbour bus route 971. To cover the service areas previously served by bus route 43M, 971 was partly rerouted to cover the bus stops of 43M, and the service hours of 971 were extended. Also, Citybus route 12A was approved to operate using double-decker buses from 13 April 2026 during the morning peak hours.
- On 14 April 2026, the Transport Department announced KMB as the preferred bidder for the six bus routes serving Kwu Tung north and Fanling north, beating Citybus again since the Long Tin Court bus route bid, which became KMB route 63.
Notes
- Thales' rail businesses were totally sold to Hitachi Rail on 31 May 2024
- Set numbers 2, 3, and 4
- Set numbers 66 through 75, 85, and 90 through 93
- Set numbers 76 through 84, and 86 through 89
- Calculated fares are rounded off to the nearest 10 cents; interchange journeys first calculate the adult fare for the interchange, then take account of the revised $2 scheme
- The one with a higher fare shall prevail
- Original article: 兩蚊兩折乘車優惠：本台揭九巴車費回贈系統疑故障 長者變相免費搭車 (in Chinese)