Admiralty station (MTR)
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 12 February 1980 |
| Headquarters | Admiralty, Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Hong Kong Island |
| Products | MTR services (Kwun Tong line, Island line, Tsuen Wan line, South Island line, East Rail line) |
| Parent | MTR Corporation |
Admiralty () is an MTR station located in Admiralty, Hong Kong. Its signature colors are blue and white. Serving as a key interchange hub within the MTR system, it connects four lines: the , the , the , and the .
The station derives its name from HMS Tamar, the former Royal Navy base. Constructed on the grounds of naval dockyards established in 1878 and demolished during the 1970s, Admiralty stands on historically significant land.
From 2011 to 2016, Admiralty experienced significant enlargement to accommodate platforms for two additional lines under the Sha Tin to Central Link initiative: the , which began operations in 2016, and the East Rail line platforms, which opened in 2022. Currently, Admiralty manages more than 100,000 passengers during peak hours, making it the busiest station in the entire MTR network.
Development and construction
In 1976, the government granted MTR Corporation first rights to acquire the site, which was sold for approximately HK$200 million through a combination of cash and equity. Above the station, commercial complexes including Admiralty Centre, United Centre, and Queensway Plaza were developed.
On 12 February 1980, the section of the Kwun Tong line between and commenced service, with Admiralty and Central being the only stations on Hong Kong Island at that time. The station began accommodating the line on 17 May 1982.
Admiralty was conceived as a transfer point for the planned . The initial segment of the Island line (from Admiralty to ) launched on 31 May 1985, temporarily designating Admiralty as its western terminus. To facilitate cross-platform interchange, expansive island platforms were installed across two levels: trains bound for Tsuen Wan and Chai Wan used the lower level, while Central-bound and terminating trains operated on the upper level. When the second phase (from Admiralty to ) opened in 1986, the terminus platform was reassigned for Sheung Wan-bound services, with other platform arrangements remaining unchanged. In 2014, this platform was again reclassified to serve Kennedy Town-bound trains.[1]
2004 arson attack
At approximately 9:14 a.m. on 5 January 2004, a man aged 55 suffering from delusional disorder set fire to two paint thinner-filled gas cylinders inside the first car of a Central-bound train departing from , resulting in minor injuries to fourteen passengers.[2] The train operator continued to drive to Admiralty station where all passengers were safely evacuated.[3]
Station enlargement and additional lines
Admiralty station underwent enlargement to accommodate two more lines—the on level L6 and the on level L5.
The platforms for the South Island line commenced operations on 28 December 2016, following a public preview on 24 December. This development provided residents of the Southern District with quicker connections to the central business area of Hong Kong Island. The launch was postponed from 2015 due to technical challenges encountered in the deep tunnel construction. During the Central Station incident, Admiralty functioned as the southern endpoint of the Tsuen Wan line. Service on the East Rail line at Admiralty began on 15 May 2022, allowing direct journeys from the northeastern New Territories.
An underground transfer concourse featuring natural lighting was constructed eastward of the original station hall to streamline inter-line transfers. The extension beneath Harcourt Garden incorporates 34 escalators and five elevators that integrate seamlessly with the existing infrastructure. The East Rail line platforms are situated one level below this transfer concourse, with the South Island line platforms positioned even deeper. Exits E1 and E2 were merged to make way for a glass canopy over the interchange concourse and have since been reopened. South of the station, sidings exist on the East Rail line for terminating trains; conversely, South Island line tracks conclude at bumper blocks north of the station without any overrun tracks.
To improve access to specific train cars on the Tsuen Wan and Island lines, the narrowest section of platforms on L3 was widened. This upgrade also introduced new restrooms within the paid area, an elevator connecting concourse and ground levels, and station art installations.
In total, these enhancements doubled platform numbers from four to eight, expanded floors from three to eight, and increased escalators from eight to forty-two.
Station configuration
Admiralty station consists of six subterranean levels. The highest underground floor (L1) contains fare gates, a lobby area, retail outlets, a Customer Service Centre, and essential amenities.
On level L2 are Platforms 4 (Tsuen Wan line heading to Central) and 3 (Island line towards Chai Wan). One floor below at L3 lie Platforms 2 (Island line bound for Kennedy Town) and 1 (Tsuen Wan line traveling to Tsuen Wan). Wide corridors link platforms on each level; all platforms possess curved trapezoidal designs with trains operating in opposing directions.
Because of platform curvature, prominent "Mind the gap" warnings are uniquely applied to platform screen doors here. The cross-platform interchange allows passengers from Eastern and Wan Chai Districts to board Tsuen Wan line trains bound for Kowloon, Kwai Chung, and Tsuen Wan at Platform 1, while travelers from Kowloon and Kwai Chung can access Island line services towards Chai Wan at Platform 3.
An eastern extension features a towering atrium approximately 30 meters high spanning five underground stories. This space contains escalators connecting L2 and L3 platforms with a mezzanine on L5 located beneath a semi-circular skylight that channels natural daylight from Rodney Street. From L5—the uppermost point of a cavern measuring 24 meters across—commuters can reach East Rail line platforms in adjacent tunnels or descend roughly 34 meters further down to South Island line platforms.
| U1 | Footbridge | Exit E2 |
| G | Ground level | Exits, Public Transport Interchange |
| L1 Concourse |
Concourse | Customer Service Centre, MTRShops, Hang Seng Bank |
| Vending machines, automatic teller machines | ||
| MTR Travel Services | ||
| Student Travel Scheme Office, MTR Lost Property Office | ||
| L2 Tsuen Wan Line & Island Line Upper Platforms |
Platform Template:MTR platform | ← Template:Rcb towards Template:STN (terminus) |
| Island platform, doors open left | ||
| Platform Template:MTR platform | Template:Rcb towards Template:STN (Template:STN) → | |
| L3 Tsuen Wan Line & Island Line Lower Platforms |
Platform Template:MTR platform | Template:Rcb Tsuen Wan line towards Template:STN (Template:STN) → |
| Island platform, doors open right | ||
| Platform Template:MTR platform | ← Template:Rcb Island line towards Template:STN (Template:STN) | |
| L4 Transfer Lobby |
Connecting passageway | |
| L5 East Rail Line Platforms |
Platform Template:MTR platform | Template:Rcb towards Template:STN or Template:STN (Template:STN) → |
| Split platform, doors open right for boarding only | ||
| Transfer corridor | ||
| Split platform, doors open right for alighting only | ||
| Platform Template:MTR platform | Template:Rcb East Rail terminating platform, alighting only ← | |
| L6 South Island Line Platforms |
Platform Template:MTR platform | ← Template:Rcb towards Template:STN (Template:STN) |
| Island platform, doors open left or right | ||
| Platform Template:MTR platform | ← Template:Rcb South Island line towards Template:STN (Template:STN) | |
Usage and congestion
Serving as the main transfer point among the , , , and , Admiralty station experiences significant crowding during peak commuting periods.
On Hong Kong Island, Admiralty and stand out as the exclusive cross-platform interchange stations linking lines to Kowloon within the MTR network. Additionally, Admiralty is the only transfer hub for the South Island line. Although trains depart at full capacity every 2.1 minutes, passengers frequently find themselves boarding the second or even third train when making connections. This overcrowding intensified following fare reductions implemented after the MTR–KCR merger.
To alleviate crowd pressure during rush hours, MTR increases station staff presence, modifies escalator flow directions, and employs calming announcements voiced by local celebrities. In the evening peak, some Tsuen Wan line trains are withdrawn from service at Central and reintroduced at Admiralty to better distribute passenger volume.
An upgrade to the Tsuen Wan line’s signalling system was planned for 2018 by Thales Transport & Security to enable long-term capacity enhancements.
The 2022 extension of the from to Admiralty has contributed to easing cross-harbour traffic on the Tsuen Wan line by diverting passenger flow. Furthermore, new "Cross-Harbour Easy" panels installed on concourse and Island line platforms offer real-time train arrival countdowns alongside crowding simulations, assisting commuters in making informed travel choices.
Art installations
As part of the station’s expansion, three artworks were introduced. Tony Ip’s Sense of Green consists of a bamboo-covered landscaped deck positioned above Harcourt Garden. Otto Li’s Urban Soundscape adorns the escalator shaft linking the new and original station sections, depicting passenger movement through Admiralty. Suspended in the central atrium is Talley Fisher’s aluminium sculpture Mapping Our Journey, representing both the intersection of four MTR lines and the balance between individuality and community.
Entrances and exits
Situated within Hong Kong Island’s central business district, Admiralty station provides access to numerous office towers and connects directly to the prominent shopping complex Pacific Place via Exit F.[4]
- A: Admiralty Centre
- B: Drake Street, Lippo Centre
- C1: Queensway Plaza
- C2: Taxi stand
- D: United Centre
- E: Rodney Street, CITIC Tower
- F: Pacific Place
Transport links
A comprehensive bus terminus covering Admiralty is accessible from exits B, C2, and D, offering routes connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories.
Bus services
- Bus
- KMB, primarily operating cross-harbour routes on Hong Kong Island
- Citybus
- Nearby bus termini include:
- Admiralty (West) – Exit B
- Admiralty (Tamar Street) – Exit B
- Admiralty (Drake Street) – Exit C2
- Admiralty (East) – Exit D
- Admiralty (Rodney Street) – located between Exit D
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- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Prosecution against arsonist on MTR train 2006 no.50 – High Court (Hong Kong)
- ↑ Template:MTRsource