South Island line
| Company type | Rapid transit line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transport |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Southern District, Central and Western District, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong Island |
| Products | Rapid transit services |
| Parent | MTR Corporation |
The South Island line () is a rapid transit route within Hong Kong's MTR metro network, connecting the Central business hub at Admiralty with the Southern District on Hong Kong Island as well as Ap Lei Chau—locations that previously lacked rail service. Sanctioned by the Executive Council in 2007, the line commenced service on 28 December 2016. On MTR maps, it is identified by the color Lime.
This line utilizes specially designed driverless trains managed remotely from the Operations Control Centre located in Tsing Yi. Featuring five stations, it ties with the Airport Express (MTR) for having the fewest stops within the entire system and currently holds the record for the least number of interchanges until the West South Island Line is realized.
During its planning and construction phase, it was known as South Island line (East) to distinguish it from the planned South Island line (West).
History
The concept for this transit line originated in 2002 and went through multiple modifications, occasionally being merged with proposals for the West Island line and South Island line (West). The finalized route corresponds to "option B" from the 2005 revised plan, omitting a station at Happy Valley to reduce travel duration to the central business district.
Rolling stock
The MTR categorizes this railway as a medium capacity system. The fleet consists of 10 newly procured three-car MTR CNR Changchun EMU trains equipped with steel wheels. These vehicles bear resemblance to those operating on the Kwun Tong line, but differ by being fully automated and driverless—the second such MTR service after the Disneyland Resort line and third overall in Hong Kong. Despite automation, at least one staff member is present on each train during peak periods, trained to manually operate the train in compliance with Fire Services Department regulations. Service frequency reaches every three minutes during rush hours.
Alignment
The South Island line initiates underground at Admiralty station, where it connects with existing Tsuen Wan and Island lines. It proceeds southeast beneath Mount Cameron via the Nam Fung Tunnel, surfacing onto a covered viaduct situated between the portal of Aberdeen Tunnel and Gleneagles Hospital, just prior to reaching Ocean Park station.
From there, it continues westward along a viaduct passing through Wong Chuk Hang and Staunton Creek, crossing over a nullah where Wong Chuk Hang station is located. The route then spans the channel to reach Ap Lei Chau using the Aberdeen Channel Bridge. Upon arrival on Ap Lei Chau, it enters a tunnel serving both Lei Tung and South Horizons stations.
Stations
Below is a listing of the stations served by the South Island line.
List
| Livery | Station Name | Images | Interchange; Adjacent transportation |
Opening | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Chinese | |||||
| South Island Line (East) (SEL) | ||||||
| Admiralty | 金鐘 | 28 December 2016; 9 years ago |
Central and Western | |||
| Ocean Park | 海洋公園 | — | Southern | |||
| Wong Chuk Hang | 黃竹坑 | Template:Rcb (proposed) | ||||
| Lei Tung | 利東 | — | ||||
| South Horizons | 海怡半島 | |||||
Progress of Construction
On 18 May 2011, the Hong Kong government and MTR Corporation formalized agreements concerning the South Island line and the Kwun Tong line extension. Drilling for the Nam Fung Tunnel, which connects Admiralty and Ocean Park stations, commenced in August 2012. The construction responsibility was undertaken by a joint venture between Leighton Asia and John Holland Group.
Structural completion of Ocean Park station was achieved on 9 December 2013. The initial 3-car trainset was delivered to the MTR Siu Ho Wan Depot on 19 February 2014. By late September 2014, the project had reached 78% completion, with tunnel breakthrough occurring on 17 October. Trial operations began in 2015 between Wong Chuk Hang and South Horizons stations, and by February of that year, construction progress had advanced to 84%. Geological complications caused delays specifically at Lei Tung station.
Opening Delays
Originally slated for a 2015 launch, the South Island line’s opening encountered postponements. In May 2014, rumors indicated a delay of approximately eighteen months, although MTR Corporation initially upheld the original timeline. Subsequently, the Transport and Housing Bureau acknowledged construction setbacks and mandated a reassessment of the schedule by MTR. Both Legislative and District Councils expressed dissatisfaction with MTR’s transparency, demanding regular progress reports. MTR attributed the deferment to intricate expansion work at Admiralty station, citing challenges posed by dense surrounding structures and underground utilities, while emphasizing safety as a priority; nonetheless, they aimed to meet the 2015 deadline. By November 2014, the opening date was revised to December 2016.
In October 2016, MTRC chairman Frederick Ma suggested a potential delay of three months. However, by November that year, he confirmed that after resolving major engineering difficulties at Admiralty station, the line would launch before year-end. CEO Lincoln Leong officially announced that service would begin on 28 December 2016.
Launch
On 28 December, prior to the inauguration of South Horizons station, local residents and rail enthusiasts gathered to observe the commencement event. MTR leadership, including CEO Lincoln Leong, greeted passengers boarding the inaugural train departing from South Horizons station at 5:55 am—five minutes ahead of schedule. Within just eleven hours of operation, ridership surpassed 92,000 trips. The following day encountered an electrical malfunction causing power outages that affected lighting systems, escalators, elevators, and fare gates; driverless trains switched to manual control to maintain service continuity. Full normal operations were restored after approximately thirty minutes.
Interchange Facilities
At Admiralty station, a new island platform was constructed beneath Harcourt Garden. Connecting corridors link this newly built platform with existing ones serving the Tsuen Wan line, Island line, and East Rail line.
Wong Chuk Hang station’s original design proposed a double island platform configuration with three tracks to enable efficient cross-platform interchange between South Island line trains and potential South Island line (West) services. The finalized design instead positions any future South Island line (West) platforms above the current platforms.
See also
Further reading
Government and Legislative Documents
Official Announcements