The vehicles have been deployed on the 36.2km Route 610 between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, and the 11.8km Route 751 between Tin Yat and Yau Oi, in Hong Kong’s northwestern New Territories.
The vehicles feature a wider sightline for drivers, LED interior lighting and improved handrail and straphanger arrangements.
Another Phase 5 LRV is undergoing testing and commissioning following the installation of solar panels on top of the vehicle, as part of a pilot green energy scheme.
The LRVs are part of a fleet of 40 ordered from CRRC under a $HK 745m ($US 96m) contract awarded in 2016.
MTR received the first two LRVs from CRRC Nanjing Puzhen in December 2018, with the vehicles subsequently undergoing a series of safety and performance tests, and approval by the Hong Kong government’s Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
The vehicles were originally expected to enter service in 2019, but were subsequently delayed. Delivery of the remaining fleet will be carried out in batches up to 2023.
30 vehicles will replace MTR’s existing Kawasaki Phase 2 LRVs which date from 1992, and the remaining 10 will expand MTR’s LRV fleet to 150 vehicles.
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