The tunnel upgrade works mean services will be suspended at Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei and Ho Man Tin stations on the Kwun Tong line.
Over at Prince Edward station, the only interchange between the Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong lines, MTR staff were seen outside exits carrying signs with information for commuters. Notices were also placed on walls and doors at the site.
Among Sunday morning’s commuters was domestic helper Giselle Cadiz, who said she left home early to take a train from Admiralty to Mong Kok and meet her friends for her day off.
Cadiz said she decided to leave several hours early because of the special service arrangements.
“We usually meet in the afternoon, but today is special because [of the arrangements],” she said. “The staff are handling it well. But some people I was travelling with, like the elderly, were a bit confused.”
A retiree surnamed Fung, who was heading from Mei Foo to her son’s home in Whampoa, said she found the arrangements “slightly confusing”.
The 77-year-old said she had wandered around for a while as she tried to figure out how to get to her destination.
“I was talking to different staff members on the train platform about where to change trains,” she said. “Old people like me often need help. I feel relieved that I got the help I needed.”
Only hours before, workers began setting up metal scaffolding inside the tunnel at the Yau Ma Tei station after the last train service wrapped up in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The upgrade involves replacing 50 large metal hangers, which hold up power cables that run along the tunnel ceiling and have been in use for more than 40 years.
The 28-hour service suspension is part of the firm’s railway asset maintenance plan, in which it is spending HK$65 billion (US$8.3 billion) over a five-year period until 2027 to upgrade facilities and make use of technology to improve standards.
Prince Edward, Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei stations remain open for trains running on the Tsuen Wan line while those on the Tuen Ma line will serve Ho Man Tin station.
The Kwun Tong line will continue to operate between Tiu Keng Leng and Prince Edward, as well as between Ho Man Tin and Whampoa.
The rail operator has deployed 1,000 staff to assist passengers and arranged free bus services with KMB on route 8 running between Ho Man Tin and Yau Ma Tei.
Passengers boarding at designated stops in Whampoa and Yau Ma Tei on bus route 30X can also enjoy free rides.
The MTR Corp said it would update the public on the work progress and whether train service could resume on Monday.
