Hong Kong MTR, DTL & TEL maps & DTL STARIS map

Hello, this is my final post before my National Service. I will not return for two/three weeks. Let's get started.

Firstly, here are the platform doors of the Island and Kwun Tong lines. A single carriage on the Hong Kong MTR is longer than the standard length on the Singapore, hence the platform doors are much wider.



Production of these first began in 2012 when I visited Hong Kong and was completely only recently. Unlike the Downtown Line format which only have boards with the map printed on them, MTR has directional signboards too, which conveys information better at a mere glance. Take note, LTA.


Another interesting deviation is that the number within the circle on the panel above the door does not represent a destination number, but the platform where one is currently standing at. It took me literally months to figure this out, and that was after I had long landed in Singapore.

Secondly, back to Singapore matters, I have uploaded all maps of the Thomson stretch of the Thomson East Coast Line, you may find it on the sidebar. In addition to that, new maps of the Downtown Line Stage 3 and East Coast stretch Stage 5 have been posted as well. At present, only Bedok North Station to Sungei Bedok Station has been posted. Fort Canning to Kaki Bukit will be up in two weeks time. Check the sidebar for the full collection.


Thirdly here's a rendering of the Active Route Map on the C951 trains running on the Downtown Line. To be honest, I find it extremely distracting to the eyes. It deviates from LTA's new style introduced for the Downtown Line.

For whatever reason, curved squares contain the code numbers, the legend is off scale compared to the map and absolutely unnecessary arrows clutter up the map. Not only that, the route is off center on the real train, I centered to allow it to look better.


Of course, all this could be attributed to circuity wiring limitations. However, should LTA devises a solution, the maps on the remaining C951 trains should look more like this, in accordance with the existing style.


Focusing on the image alone, you will realize the legend has been enlarged, partly due to the long "Thomson-East Coast Line" text, but also to match the scale of the main map better. The arrows have been removed to free up viewing space. Nevertheless, it's still extremely dense. One might hope LTA might eventually implement a LCD screen system similar to the Tokyo Subway. They have tried experimenting it on the North East Line, but scrapped it after a few years.


Static LED map boards require replacement every few years to insert new interchanges and is not an acceptable solution in the long run. Maybe the new North East and Circle Line trains ditch static LED maps?

In any case, that's all I have for you tonight. If anyone is even reading this blog, I appreciate your visit. See you in two weeks.

Until next time, see ya.

Comments

Fei said…
Hi there! Hope this finds you well. Would it be possible to have a high resolution version of the Hong Kong Island and Kwun Tong lines you attached in this post? Thanks!