The MTR Corporation will question a mainland Chinese manufacturer about the quality of nine new high-speed trains and another 93 urban trains it purchased after it was revealed that 35 faulty subway trains produced by it were being secretly shipped back from Singapore to the mainland for repairs.
The alarm bells were raised as online news platform FactWire reported that the mainland Chinese-made trains in Singapore had cracks in their bodies and key structural components. It said they had been sent back to their manufacturer in Qingdao for repair.
The trains were made by CSR Qingdao Sifang Company in a joint venture with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The venture has since been renamed CRRC Qingdao Sifang Company.
“Details of the defects and the recalls have been kept secret in both Singapore and China,” it said.
The same mainland manufacturer is responsible for manufacturing nine trains for the express rail link from Hong Kong to Guangzhou and 93 eight-car trains for the MTR’s urban lines after a “rigorous” tendering process in March 2012 and July last year respectively, according to the MTRC.
“On the alleged technical issues of trains in Singapore, the MTR Corporation will approach CRRC Qingdao Sifang to seek further information,” the MTRC said in a statement on Tuesday night.
“Under the procurement contracts, the supply, manufacture, testing and commissioning of the trains must be carried out in accordance with MTR’s specifications on the basis of the Corporation’s design and manufacturing standards.”
It said a stainless steel material would be used for the body of the 93 trains, instead of aluminium alloy used for the Singapore trains.
For the high-speed trains, the aluminium material used for building the main body will be imported from a Japanese supplier. The supplier is different from the one used for the Singapore trains.
The railway corporation said the new trains would go through a series of tests both in the country of origin and after delivery to Hong Kong.
“The Corporation will ensure that the performance of the new trains complies with the stringent requirements in the contract before confirming acceptance.
“If any defects are found, the MTR Corporation will ensure that the manufacturer takes suitable follow-up action as required in the contract,” the statement said.
It said the new trains would need to pass all necessary safety and performance tests and obtain approval from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department before they could enter into passenger service. http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1985848/mtr-corporation-spotlight-amid-revelations-faulty-trains-were
MTR Corporation in spotlight amid revelations faulty trains were secretly shipped from Singapore to mainland for repairs By Cannix Yau in South China Morning Post, July 6, 2016
Published in Uncategorized
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