View source for West Rail line

{{short description|Former Hong Kong railway line}}
{{For|the RTD (Denver, Colorado, U.S.) light rail line known as the ''West Rail line'' during construction|W Line (RTD)}}
{{use Hong Kong English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = West Rail line<br>{{lang|zh-Hant-HK|西鐵綫}}
| color                           = {{rcr|MTR|West Rail}}
| continuesas                     = {{rcb|MTR|Tuen Ma|croute}}
| formerconnections               = {{plainlist|
* {{rcb|MTR|East Rail|croute}}
* {{rcb|MTR|Tung Chung|croute}}
* {{rcb|MTR|Airport Express|croute}}
* {{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|croute}}
* {{Rail icon|MTR Light Rail}} {{rcb|MTR|Light Rail|croute}}
}}
| status                          = Merged into [[Tuen Ma line]] <small>(27 June 2021)</small>
| image                           = MTR West Rail Line Train.jpg
| image_width                     = 300px
| image_alt                       = 
| caption                         = A West Rail line [[SP1900 EMU|IKK]] train arriving at [[Kam Sheung Road station]] in June 2008
| type                            = [[Commuter rail]] / [[Rapid transit]]
| system                          = [[MTR]]
| locale                          = [[Districts of Hong Kong|Districts]]: [[Yau Tsim Mong District|Yau Tsim Mong]], [[Sham Shui Po District|Sham Shui Po]], [[Kwai Tsing District|Kwai Tsing]] (no station), [[Tsuen Wan District|Tsuen Wan]], [[Yuen Long District|Yuen Long]], [[Tuen Mun District|Tuen Mun]]
| start                           = [[Tuen Mun station|Tuen Mun]]
| end                             = [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]]
| stations                        = 12
| ridership2                      = 442,600 weekday average <br />(Sept to Oct 2014)<ref>{{cite web|title=Weekday patronage of MTR heavy rail network from September 1 to 27 and September 28 to October 25, 2014|url=http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201410/29/P201410290671_0671_136426.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council|access-date=15 April 2015|date=29 October 2014}}</ref>
| mapcolor                        = {{rcb|MTR|West Rail|box}} [[Magenta]] (#{{rcr|MTR|West Rail}})
| open                            = 20 December 2003
| speed_km/h                      = 130
| close                           = 27 June 2021 (merged with the {{lnl|MTR|Ma On Shan}} to form the {{lnl|MTR|Tuen Ma}})
| depot                           = [[Pat Heung]]
| stock                           = [[SP1900 EMU|SP1900/1950 EMU]]<br />[[MTR CRRC Changchun EMU|Tuen Ma Line C-train]]
| linelength                      = {{convert|35.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="Highways-Dept">{{cite web |url=https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/existing/railway_network/isl/index.html |title=Island Line |publisher=Highways Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |date=14 April 2015 |access-date=25 May 2015 |archive-date=27 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427184224/https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/existing/railway_network/isl/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| gauge                           = {{RailGauge|1435mm|lk=on}}
| electrification                 = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} ([[Overhead lines]])
| map                             = [[File:West Rail Line.svg|350px|center]]<hr />{{West Rail line RDT}}
| map_state                       = collapsed
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 西鐵綫
| s = 西铁线
| l = West Rail line
| p = Xī Tiě Xiàn
| j = Sai1 Tit3 Sin3
| y = Sāi Tit Sin
}}
[[File:Long Ping Station.jpg|thumb|[[Long Ping station]] platform in December 2008]]
[[File:MTR PHD (2).JPG|thumb|West Rail line [[Pat Heung]] Section in November 2009]]
[[File:MTR TWW (19).JPG|thumb|Appearance of [[Tsuen Wan West station]] in January 2010]]
[[File:Hung Hom Station 2014 04 part2.JPG|thumb|[[Hung Hom station]] Platform 2 in April 2014]]

The '''West Rail line''' ({{zh|c=西鐵綫}}) was a [[commuter rail]] / [[rapid transit]] line that formed part of the [[Mass Transit Railway]] (MTR) system in [[Hong Kong]] until 27 June 2021. Coloured magenta on the MTR map, the line ran from [[Tuen Mun station|Tuen Mun]] to [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]], with a total length of {{convert|35.7|km|mi}}, in 37 minutes.<ref name=mtrc01 /> The railway connected the urban area of [[Kowloon]] and the [[New towns of Hong Kong|new towns]] of [[Yuen Long New Town|Yuen Long]], [[Tin Shui Wai New Town|Tin Shui Wai]] and [[Tuen Mun New Town|Tuen Mun]] in the northwestern [[New Territories]].

The line was the second of three lines built and operated by the [[Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation]] (KCRC), then known as the '''KCR West Rail''' ({{lang|zh|九廣西鐵}}). It was designed to [[commuter rail|suburban rail]] standards similar to that of KCR's first line, now the [[East Rail line]], anticipating freight<ref name="KCRC 1999">{{cite web|last=KCRC|title=Planning for New Projects.|url=http://www.kcrc.com/en/investor/ar/1999/newprojects.pdf|publisher=KCRC|access-date=2014-02-20|date=1999|archive-date=25 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225102435/http://www.kcrc.com/en/investor/ar/1999/newprojects.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and intercity services to mainland China,<ref name=xrl_legco01>{{cite web|last=Panel on Transport, Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways|title=Appendix II: Chronology of major developments of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link project.|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr13-14/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp1122cb1-308-5-e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=2013-11-22|quote=LC Paper No. CB(1)308/13-14(05)}}</ref> although the latter role was ultimately superseded by the [[Hong Kong Express Rail Link|Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link Hong Kong section]] as part of the [[China Railway High-speed]] network.

After KCRC's merger of operations with the MTR Corporation on 2 December 2007,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kcrc.com/en/about-kcrc/history.html#time1984|title=History – About KCRC|publisher=[[Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation]]|access-date=5 March 2015}}</ref> the West Rail line was operated as part of the MTR network. Along with the [[Ma On Shan line]], the line was integrated into the [[Tuen Ma line]] in June 2021 upon the completion of Phase 1 of the [[Sha Tin to Central Link]].

== History ==
=== Planning ===
A railway to the northwestern [[New Territories]] from the urban area in [[Kowloon]] was recommended as early as 1978 in a Tuen Mun Transport Study by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partner;<ref name=runnacles>{{cite book|title=Land use/Transport Planning in Hong Kong: The End of an Era.|date=1998|publisher=Ashgate|page=110|author=Runnacles, Timothy V|author-link=Public Transport Network and Land-Use Impacts|editor=Dimitrou H.T.|chapter=4|display-editors=etal}}</ref> by the early 1990s, the surge of [[commuter town]]s in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun had frequently brought road networks to a standstill, as urban populations spilled over to the bedroom communities while keeping their jobs in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

The 1994 Hong Kong Government Railway Development Strategy report envisaged a domestic passenger service between the Northwestern New Territories (NWNT) and urban Kowloon, a [[Hong Kong-China border|cross-boundary]] passenger service for passengers travelling between Hong Kong and mainland China, and [[container ship|container freight]] transport between ports in mainland China and Hong Kong.<ref name=blessis />

In January 1995, the [[Government of Hong Kong|Government]] invited the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) to submit a proposal for the design, construction and operation of the proposed Western Corridor Railway. KCRC submitted a full proposal in November 1995, as did MTRC; twelve months later, the Government adopted KCRC's proposal.<ref name=blessis /> Tuen Mun residents clamoured for a direct connection (or failing that, a costly alternative coastal alignment), and the terminus was duly extended along Tuen Mun Nullah. Along with the [[Light Rail (MTR)|Light Rail network]], which was reconfigured as a feeder system, the new railway was designed to serve 1.08 million residents in northwestern New Territories, 25% of whom lived within walking distance to stations compared to 80% along the [[Tseung Kwan O line]].<ref name=au /><sup>p.&nbsp;39</sup>

In August 1996, the KCR Corporation set up the West Rail Steering Committee to oversee all aspects of the project. Originally conceived and carried through to the technical design phase as a 12-car system, paralleling the KCRC-operated [[East Rail line]], the West Rail project was re-evaluated by the KCRC in autumn of 1998; the present nine-car capacity (of which trains of eight-cars are currently run) is a result of improved ultimate headway from 120 seconds to 90.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wade|first=Colin|title=Value Engineering West Rail|journal=Arup Journal|date=2006|volume=3|page=24|url=http://www.arup.com/_assets/_download/7D37BB78-CE53-15CC-7627546D83CA6EC7.pdf|access-date=11 October 2013}}</ref>

The first phase of construction included a double-track [[commuter]] railway connecting [[Tuen Mun station]] and [[Nam Cheong station]] in newly reclaimed West Kowloon, at a cost of HK$46.4 billion<ref name=au /> in 2002 prices which was some 28% lower than the original estimate in 1998;<ref name=capacity_legco06>{{cite web|last=Legislative Council|title=LCQ2: Competitive fares for Tseung Kwan O Extension and West Rail|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr08-09/english/panels/tp/papers/tp0320cb1-1049-4-e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=2002-02-06}}</ref> later reports cite $51.7 billion in money of the day prices.<ref name=blessis>{{cite journal|last=Blessis|first=Danal A.|title=West Rail: A Project Profile|journal=Journal of Geospatial Engineering|date=2000|volume=2|issue=1|pages=53–61|url=http://www.lsgi.polyu.edu.hk/staff/zl.li/vol_2_1/06_west_rail.pdf|access-date=2014-02-20}}</ref>

=== Initial operation ===
Originally, the KCRC expected the West Rail to have a daily ridership of about 340,000 upon commissioning and 500,000 by 2011.<ref name=capacity_legco01>{{cite web|last=KCRC: Legislative Council Panel on Transport|title=West Rail Project Update|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr99-00/english/panels/tp/papers/a1041e05.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=20 February 2014|date=2000-02-18}}</ref> Actual figures hovered around 100,000 by April 2004,<ref name=capacity_legco02>{{cite web|last=KCRC|title=Annex B Legislative Council Panel on Transport: Interchange Discount between West Rail/MTR|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr03-04/english/panels/tp/papers/tp0423cb1-1556-5e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=April 2004|quote=LC Paper No. CB(1)1556/03-04(05)}}</ref> however, and rose to 170,000 by the end of the year following a series of discounts.<ref name=capacity_legco03>{{cite web|last=KCRC|title=Legislative Council Panel on Transport: The Expiry of West Rail's Second 10% Discount|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr04-05/english/panels/tp/papers/tp1126cb1-352-2e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=November 2004}}</ref> Frequent breakdowns (by local standards: 24 incidents in 2004 caused a delay of eight minutes or more)<ref name=capacity_legco04>{{cite web|last=KCRC|title=Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on matters relating to railways: Review of West Rail incidents|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr04-05/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp1003cb1-2314-1e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=September 2005}}</ref> led KCRC Chairman [[Michael Tien]] to announce that he would consider resigning if service performance failed to improve.

Some 30,000 flats were originally planned to be built along the route between 2006 and 2011,<ref name=capacity_legco07>{{cite web|last=KCRC|title=KCR West Rail Phase I Presentation to LegCo Transport Panel Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Implementation of Railway Development Projects|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/a1737e01.pdf|access-date=2014-02-20|date=July 2001}}</ref> only to be put on hold when the property market crashed. The commuter line was built after the new towns in north-west New Territories, along with road-based transport networks, were nearing completion. Attempts to boost patronage were made by cutting longstanding bus services, which in turn necessitated government compensation to private bus operator [[Kowloon Motor Bus]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Moving Millions: The Commercial Success and Political Controversies of Hong Kong's Railways|last=Yeung|first=Rikkie|date=2008|publisher=[[Hong Kong University]] Press|location=Hong Kong|isbn=978-962-209-963-0}}</ref>

===Kowloon Southern Link===
{{Main|Kowloon Southern Link}}

On 16 August 2009, the [[Kowloon Southern Link]] from Nam Cheong to [[East Tsim Sha Tsui station]] was opened. At the same time, the existing segment between East Tsim Sha Tsui station and [[Hung Hom station]] was transferred from the [[East Rail line]] to the West Rail line, and both services now terminated in the south and interchanged at Hung Hom.<ref>{{cite press release|date=30 July 2009|title=Kowloon Southern Link Opens on 16 August|url=http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-088-E.pdf|access-date=18 February 2015|publisher=[[MTR Corporation]]|location=Hong Kong}}</ref>

== Route ==

Like all MTR lines, the West Rail line is grade-separated throughout its entire length and includes a combination of underground, at-grade, and elevated sections. Running from southeast to northwest, it starts at [[Hung Hom station]] at ground level and initially heads southwest into a tunnel and descending underground through [[East Tsim Sha Tsui station|East Tsim Sha Tsui]] and [[Austin station (MTR)|Austin]] stations (the former having originally being served by the East Rail line, and the track heading northwards through the latter), before returning to ground level (though still fully covered) at [[Nam Cheong station]]. The track then runs northwest through a sealed box tunnel just to the north to and under the [[West Kowloon Highway]] through [[Mei Foo Sun Chuen|Lai Chi Kok Park]] into [[Mei Foo station]], which has a ground-level/underground hybrid design. Bored tunnels traverse densely populated [[Kwai Chung]] and under the [[Tsuen Wan line]] towards [[Tsuen Wan West station]] on [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclaimed land]], after which a {{convert|5.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} bored rock tunnel, the [[Tai Lam Tunnel (Tuen Ma line)|Tai Lam Tunnel]], takes trains through [[Tai Lam Country Park]].

The line emerges into open air just south of the train depot at [[Pat Heung]] and initially runs at-grade, and later on an [[Embankment (earthworks)|embankment]], as it approaches [[Kam Sheung Road station]]. The rest of the line is [[elevated railway|fully elevated]] and constructed on a continuous [[viaduct]], running in a westerly direction through the new towns of [[Yuen Long New Town|Yuen Long]] and turning towards the south at [[Tin Shui Wai New Town|Tin Shui Wai]], before taking a bend towards the [[Tuen Mun River]] and eventually terminating at [[Tuen Mun station]].

== Capacity and ridership ==

=== Rolling stock and technology ===
The West Rail line was served by 33 eight-car [[SP1900 EMU|MTR SP1900 EMUs]] built by a Japanese consortium of [[Kinki Sharyo]] and [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]], of which 22 were originally ordered by KCRC as seven-car trains for the initial opening of the line (the same model was ordered in 12-car and 4-car variants for the East Rail and the original [[Ma On Shan line]], respectively).<ref name="JORSA">{{cite web |title=Electric Multiple Units for KCRC MTR of Hong Kong |url=https://www.jorsa.or.jp/en/exports/detail.php?id=20 |website=Japan Overseas Railway System Association |access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref> Up to 26 sets run during the [[rush hour|morning peak service]] with a 171-second [[headway]]; MTRC specifies capacities of 52 seated and 286 standing passengers per car.<ref name=mtrc01>{{cite web|last=MTR Corporation Limited|title=Business Review|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/publications/images/business_overview_e.pdf|access-date=2014-02-20}}</ref>

In March 2020, a newly built eight-car [[MTR CRRC Changchun EMU|East West line train]], manufactured by [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles]], entered service on the line. Similar to the previous rolling stock, the trains had a maximum running speed of {{convert|130|km/h|mph}} and travel at an average speed of {{convert|56|km/h|mph}} on the West Rail line. Unlike the trains on the East Rail line, there are no [[First class travel|first-class compartments]]. All trains are serviced at Pat Heung depot and are equipped with the [[SelTrac]] IS [[moving block]] signalling system for [[train protection system|train protection]]; this was among the earliest applications of the technology on a high-capacity, heavy-rail line worldwide.<ref name="TSI-WRL">{{cite web |title=Communications Based Train Control Projects |url=http://www.tsd.org/cbtc/projects/index.htm |website=Transportation Systems Design, Inc. |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-date=14 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614033641/http://www.tsd.org/cbtc/projects/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Beginning in January 2016, all 7-car trains were converted to 8-car trains in anticipation of the [[Sha Tin to Central Link]] (see {{section link||Future development}}); this was completed in May 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/press_release/PR-15-117-E.pdf|title=First West Rail Line 8-car Train Ready for Passenger Service from 2 January|date=28 December 2015|publisher=[[MTR Corporation]]|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> During the transition period with both 7-car and 8-car trains in service, passengers had to pay attention to the [[Passenger information system|platform LCD screens]] and announcements to queue at the right part of the platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1895585/mtr-adds-eight-car-trains-hong-kongs-west-rail-line|title=MTR adds eight-car trains to Hong Kong's West Rail line|last=Au-yeung|first=Allen|date=28 December 2015|website=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Theoretical capacity ===
The line increased capacity between the northwest New Territories and urban areas by about 80%, and on the Tuen Mun-Yuen Long Corridor by about 200%.<ref name=au /> Crowding on trains–or a lack thereof–has been a matter of heated public debate since its inauguration, as the government has no specific indicator for measuring
crowdedness in train compartments as of 2014.<ref name=capacity_legco_10>{{cite web|last=Research Office, Information Services Division|title=Research Brief Issue No. 4: Measures to ease crowdedness of train compartments in overseas cities|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr13-14/english/sec/library/1314rb04-e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=January 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114056/http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr13-14/english/sec/library/1314rb04-e.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Japanese train manufacturer Kinki Sharyo quoted car capacities (standing plus seating) upward of 430 for cab cars and 452 for the rest.<ref name=kinki>{{cite web|last=Kinki Sharyo|title=Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), Hong Kong Electric Multiple Unit (EMU)|url=http://www.kinkisharyo.co.jp/eng/e_sharyo/e_sh_seihin/e_sh_kcr.htm|access-date=2014-02-20|date=2004}}</ref> KCRC's stress tests prior to the system's début specified a [[Crush load|crush-load]] capacity of 2345, or 335<ref name="KCRC 1999"/> passengers in longitudinal seating for each of its seven cars, which corresponds to seven passengers per square metre<ref name=capacity_mingpao>{{cite news|last=Ming Pao Daily|title=西鐵「沙包試車」 測試負重力|url=http://www.thmalex.com/hkris/rnc/new_page_35.htm|access-date=20 February 2014|newspaper=Ming Pao Daily|date=2003-09-14}}</ref> in line with MTRC standards.<ref name=capacity_legco09>{{cite web|last=Legislative Council Secretariat|title=Legislative Council Panel on Transport: Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 29 March 2000, at 8:30 am in Conference Room A of the Legislative Council Building|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr99-00/english/panels/tp/minutes/tp290300.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=26 April 2000|quote=LC Paper No. CB(1)1436/99-00}}</ref> This contrasts with a worst-case allowable planning standard of 5&nbsp;[[Passenger|pax]]/square metre in the United States.<ref name=capacity_kittleson>{{cite book|last=Kittleson & Associates Inc. for Transit Cooperative Research Program|title=Transit Capacity & Quality of Service Manual|date=2003|publisher=TCRP|location=Washington D.C.}}</ref>

In industry journals, KCRC engineers and academics quoted ultimate limits upwards of 100,000 under 105-second headways,<ref name=blessis /><ref name=au>{{cite journal|last=Au|first=Siu-fung|title=Inter-modal co-ordination of West Rail with other public transport modes|journal=The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong)|date=2004|url=http://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/31449/15/FullText.pdf?accept=1}}</ref> in nine-car configuration; however, both post-merger MTRC<ref name=mtrc01 /> and government planning consultants report that the 'designed maximum one-hour carrying capacity' is actually 64,000, a figure described in [[Hansard]] footnotes as 'calculated in terms of the highest train frequency allowed with the existing signaling system';<ref name="passenger numbers">{{cite web|url=http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201101/12/P201101120164_0164_74131.pdf|title = MTR train frequencies of railway lines in different periods, number of cars on each train, train carrying capacity, train loading rates and number of seats |publisher=[[HKSAR Government]]|date=12 January 2011|access-date =10 February 2014}}</ref> in the consultants' report, 2011 average loading from Kam Sheung Road to Tsuen Wan West during the busiest morning peak hour stood at 65% (of the "one-direction passenger capacity of the trains operated along the railway line", the exact figure of which was unspecified):<ref name=capacity_ofr01>{{cite book|last=Our Future Railway|title=Review and Update of the "Railway Development Strategy 2000" – Stage 2 Public Engagement – Consultation Document|date=2013|publisher=Transport and Housing Bureau|page=12|url=http://www.ourfuturerailway.hk/doc/RDS2U_PE2_consultation_document_Eng.pdf}}</ref> consultants thus referred to "under-utilisation of train capacity"<ref name=capacity_ofr01 /><sup>3.11</sup>. (The same consultant also forecast 50,000 pax/hr in 2031, given a peak service of 28 tph at 75,000 pax/hr capacity.)

=== Actual ridership ===
In present operations, parliamentary briefs state that the Kowloon Southern Link raised the one-hour carrying capacity from 39,900 to 46,900 pax/hr when headway was shortened from 3.5 minutes to 3.<ref name=capacity_legco08>{{cite web|last=Council Business Division 1, Legislative Council Secretariat|title=Panel on Transport: Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways. Meeting on 5 July 2013: Updated background brief on railway service performance|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-13/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0705cb1-1421-2-e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|page=3|date=July 2013|quote=LC Paper No. CB(1)1421/12-13(02)}}</ref>

2013 [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|LegCo]] submissions from the MTRC confirmed that the capacity was at 46,900 pax/hr, with average train loading during morning peak hours on weekdays (from 6.30am to 9am) at around 70%.<ref name=capacity_legco11>{{cite web|last=Legislative Council|title=LCQ12: Train services of MTR West Rail line and Light Rail|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201307/17/P201307170208.htm|access-date=2014-02-20|date=17 July 2013}}</ref> Extrapolated, 4.5&nbsp;pax/square metre would translate to 'maximal overcrowding' by [[London Underground]] authorities' definitions;<ref name=capacity_gla01>{{cite web|last=Greater London Authority|title=Too close for comfort: Passengers' experiences of the London Underground|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/09-12-01-Too-close-for-comfort-FINAL.pdf|publisher=Greater London Authority|date=September 2009}}</ref> however, James Blake, then Senior Director/Capital Projects of KCRC, noted that 6&nbsp;pax/square metre was used in demand-capacity projections at peak times, and "this figure would be quite acceptable to the ordinary travelling public even at peak times"<ref name=capacity_legco09 /><sup>p.&nbsp;11</sup>.

In December 2013, the [[Transport and Housing Bureau]] submitted detailed definitions to legislators regarding average train loading without specifying the figures:<ref name=thb01>{{cite web|last=Transport and Housing Bureau|title=LCQ10: MTR service|url=http://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/pressreleases/transport/land/2013/20131204.htm|publisher=Transport and Housing Bureau, Hong Kong SARG|access-date=2014-02-20|date=4 December 2013}}</ref> they were eventually released in February 2014<ref name=thb2>{{cite web|last=Transport and Housing Bureau|title=Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways: Capacity and Loading of MTR Trains|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr13-14/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0228cb1-980-3-e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=25 February 2014|date=February 2014|quote=CB(1)980/13-14(03)}}</ref> in a Legco subcommittee submission. It recognised that 6&nbsp;pax/square metre design capacity standards were not achieved in actual operations, and that the service level of new MTR lines is pitched at 4&nbsp;pax/square metre service benchmark. At 4&nbsp;pax/square metre, the critical link on the line ran at 99% capacity (34,600 pax/hr) in 2013, partly due to lengthy turnaround times at the present Hung Hom terminus which depressed realizable carrying capacity by 20%.

'''Platform screen doors'''

All West Rail line stations have [[platform screen doors]]. The only exception was [[Hung Hom station]], which shared its platform with the [[East Rail line]] until it was moved underground on 20 June 2021.

== Fare system ==
The fare system of the line generally followed the other lines on the former [[Kowloon–Canton Railway|KCR]] network. [[Octopus card]]s and single ride tickets were available. All persons aged between 12 and 64 were charged the adult fare, whereas children aged 11 or below, full-time students, and seniors aged 65 or above were entitled to a concession fare.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Transport - MTR Corporation Limited {{!}} Annual Transport Digest 2021 |url=https://www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/atd/2021/en/section5_t_12.html |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=www.td.gov.hk}}</ref>

As with the contemporaneous East Tsim Sha Tsui extension, the KCRC adopted a ''value of time'' methodology when fare levels were established for new services, resulting in a significant markup compared to bus and East Rail services.<ref name=capacity_legco05>{{cite web|last=KCRC|title=Legislative Council Panel on Transport: An Update on the Tsim Sha Tsui Extension Project and its Fares|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr04-05/english/panels/tp/papers/tp1015cb1-13-1e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council, Hong Kong|access-date=2014-02-20|date=October 2004}}</ref>

Like the East Rail, Tuen Ma, and [[Tung Chung line]]s, the West Rail line also offered [[day pass]]es and [[monthly pass]]es.<ref>{{cite web
  |author=MTR
  | title = Day Pass – Monthly Pass
  | publisher = Mass Transit Railway Corporation
  | date = February 2012
  | url = http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/fares_tickets/images/monthly_day_pass.pdf
  | access-date = 2012-02-21}}</ref>
 
;Monthly passes
:"Tuen Mun-Hung Hom Monthly Pass" and "Tuen Mun-Nam Cheong Monthly Pass" are [[Octopus card|Octopus]]-stored monthly unlimited passes between the said stations, [[Light Rail (MTR)|Light Rail]], [[MTR Bus]], and designated [[Public light bus|minibus]] routes. They were priced at HK$490 and $420 respectively unless passengers hold valid discounted passes ($410/$330), in which case the discount is rolled on. Connections to the rest of the MTR network are charged to the Octopus as if the journey were made from/to the cheapest of the interchanging West Rail line station.

;Day passes
:"Tuen Mun-Nam Cheong Day Pass" is a $28 electronic/paper ticket combo between the said stations, MTR Bus and Light Rail; other onward connections must be made separately by exiting and re-entering the station.

:A [[sightseeing bus]] service was run as a temporary feeder service of the West Rail line in the northwest New Territories. This service was launched on 26 September 2004 and ended on 28 November.<ref>[http://www.kcrc.com/Upload%20Content/News%20Centre/Press%20Release/Corp/Eng/E040925A.htm KCRC press release]</ref>

== Stations ==

The following is a list of the stations on the West Rail line, all of which have now been transferred to the [[Tuen Ma line]].

{| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%; margin: 0.5em auto; text-align: center;"
! colspan="3" | Livery and Station Name
! rowspan="2" | Connections
! rowspan="2" | Opening date
! rowspan="2" | [[Districts of Hong Kong|District]]
|-
! colspan="2" |English
!Chinese
|-bgcolor = #{{rcr|MTR|West Rail}}
| colspan="6" |
|-
| style="background:#035F94" |
|'''[[Tuen Mun station|Tuen Mun]]'''
|屯門
|{{Plainlist|*{{ric|MTR Light Rail}} '''{{Tstop|Tuen Mun}}:'''
*<small>{{rcb|MTR Light Rail|505|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|507|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|751|route}}</small>}}
| rowspan="9" |20 December 2003{{efn|name=EAL-opened|Originally opened as part of the [[East Rail line]].}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Tuen Mun District|Tuen Mun]]
|-
| style="background:#33CC99" |
|'''[[Siu Hong station|Siu Hong]]'''
|兆康
|{{Plainlist|*{{ric|MTR Light Rail}} '''{{Tstop|Siu Hong}}:'''
*<small>{{rcb|MTR Light Rail|505|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|610|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|614|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|614P|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|615|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|615P|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|751|route}}</small>}}
|-
| style="background:#FFCF2A" |
|'''[[Austin station (MTR)|Tin Shui Wai]]'''
|天水圍
|{{Plainlist|*{{ric|MTR Light Rail}} '''{{Tstop|Tin Shui Wai}}:'''
*<small>{{rcb|MTR Light Rail|705|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|706|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|751|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|751P|route}}</small>
*{{ric|MTR Light Rail}} '''{{Tstop|Tin Yiu}}:'''
*<small>{{rcb|MTR Light Rail|705|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|706|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|761P|route}}</small>}}
| rowspan="4" |[[Yuen Long District|Yuen Long]]
|-
| style="background:#F697B4" |
|'''[[Long Ping station|Long Ping]]'''
|朗屏
|
|-
| style="background:#42D7DC" |
|'''[[Yuen Long station|Yuen Long]]'''
|元朗
|{{Plainlist|*{{ric|MTR Light Rail}} '''{{Tstop|Yuen Long}}:'''
*<small>{{rcb|MTR Light Rail|610|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|614|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|615|route}} {{rcb|MTR Light Rail|761P|route}}</small>}}
|-
| style="background:#A11919" |
|'''[[Kam Sheung Road station|Kam Sheung Road]]'''
|錦上路
|
|-
| style="background:#A81C07" |
|'''[[Tsuen Wan West station|Tsuen Wan West]]'''
|荃灣西
|
|[[Tsuen Wan District|Tsuen Wan]]
|-
| style="background:#0088DD" |
|'''[[Mei Foo station|Mei Foo]]'''
|美孚
|{{Rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|croute}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Sham Shui Po District|Sham Shui Po]]
|-
| style="background:#FFFF80" |
|'''[[Nam Cheong station|Nam Cheong]]'''
|南昌
|{{Rcb|MTR|Tung Chung|croute}}
|-
| style="background:#D05A3A" |
|'''[[Austin station (MTR)|Austin]]'''
|柯士甸
|{{Plainlist|*{{ric|MTR}} '''{{Stn|Kowloon||MTR}}:'''
*<small>{{rcb|MTR|Tung Chung|croute}} {{rcb|MTR|Airport Express|croute}}</small>
*{{ric|MTR}}''' {{Stnlnk|West Kowloon}}:'''
* {{nbsp|6}}{{ric|MTR}} {{ric|CRH}} [[Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link|High-speed rail]] services to [[mainland China]]}} 
|16 August 2009
| rowspan="3" |[[Yau Tsim Mong District|Yau Tsim Mong]]
|-
| style="background:#FFFF00" |
|'''[[East Tsim Sha Tsui station|East Tsim Sha Tsui]]'''
|尖東
|{{Plainlist|*{{ric|MTR}} '''{{Stn|Tsim Sha Tsui}}:'''
*<small>{{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|croute}}</small>}}
|16 December 1979
|-
| style="background:#FF0077" |
|'''[[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]]'''
|紅磡
|{{Plainlist|*{{rcb|MTR|East Rail|croute}}
*{{ric|CR}} [[Rail transport in Hong Kong#Cross-border services|Through Train services]] to [[mainland China]]}}
|30 November 1975 
''Platform relocated on 15 May 2022''
|-bgcolor = #{{rcr|MTR|West Rail}}
| colspan="6" |
|}

=== Notes ===

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== Major incidents ==

=== Train explosion ===
At 9:15am on 14 February 2007, a passenger train broke down when one of the voltage [[transformer]]s mounted on the train roof exploded. This incident occurred in the southbound direction in the [[Tai Lam Tunnel (Tuen Ma line)|tunnel]] between [[Kam Sheung Road station|Kam Sheung Road]] and [[Tsuen Wan West station|Tsuen Wan West]], about {{convert|2|km}} north of Tsuen Wan West. Around 650 passengers had to evacuate through the dark tunnel to the station, while around 340 people returned to the ground through a ventilation shaft at [[Chai Wan Kok]]. Eleven people were sent to hospital. Train services returned to normal after 4 hours.<ref>{{cite web
  | last = Cheng
  | first = Jonathan
  | title = KCRC in pledge on safety
  | work = The Standard|location=Hong Kong
  | date = 15 February 2007
  | url = http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=38372&sid=12227018&con_type=3&d_str=20070215&sear_year=2007
  | access-date = 2007-01-30}}</ref>

It was suspected that the overheated transformer caused its [[insulating oil]] to vaporise, thus causing the explosion. The train-borne [[circuit breaker]], which was connected in parallel to the voltage transformer to the train [[Pantograph (transport)|pantograph]], was not designed to isolate this kind of fault. After the incident, all SP1900 EMUs had their voltage transformers replaced. The new voltage transformers are German-made dry type transformers, which will not catch fire, even if they fail.

As an apology, the West Rail was opened for free rides on 21 February 2007, the first working day after the [[Chinese New Year]] holiday.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Remarks of KCRC Chairman Mr Michael Tien on the West Rail Incident
  | publisher = KCRC
  | date = 15 February 2007
  | url = http://www.kcrc.com/html/eng/corporate/news_centre/press_release/2007/feb/upload/EA20070215.htm
  | access-date = 2007-02-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030418/http://www.kcrc.com/html/eng/corporate/news_centre/press_release/2007/feb/upload/EA20070215.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 30 September 2007}}</ref>

===Yuen Long attack===
{{main|2019 Yuen Long attack}}
On the night of 21 July 2019, during [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests|ongoing protests]] in the territory, Yuen Long station was stormed by armed men, and 45 people were injured.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49066982 |title=Hong Kong protests: Armed mob storms Yuen Long station |publisher=BBC |date=22 July 2019}}</ref>

== Future development ==
{{Main|Northern Link (MTR)|3 = Tuen Mun South extension|4 = Hung Shui Kiu station}}

Current proposals tabled under the Railway Development Strategy 2014 plan by the Hong Kong Government include the Northern Link, a spur line from [[Kam Sheung Road station]] to [[Lok Ma Chau station]] and a future [[Kwu Tung station]], both on the [[Lok Ma Chau Spur Line]] of the East Rail line; and two new stations on the current West Rail line route in [[Hung Shui Kiu station|Hung Shui Kiu]] and [[Tuen Mun South station|Tuen Mun South]].<ref name="RDS2014">{{cite web |title=Railway Development Strategy 2014 |url=https://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/publications/rds2014.pdf |website=Transport and Housing Bureau |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629131221/https://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/publications/rds2014.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hung Shui Kiu may house 160,000 in a new town, whereas Tuen Mun South is already home to 90,000 residents.<ref name="capacity_ofr01" />

== See also ==

* [[Transport in Hong Kong]]
* [[Rail transport in Hong Kong]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|West Rail line}}

*[https://www.mtr.com.hk MTR official website]

{{MTR}}
{{West Rail line navbox}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:West Rail line| ]]
[[Category:MTR lines]]
[[Category:Regional rail in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 2003]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in Hong Kong]]