Implementing Comprehensive and Direct Assessment to Enhance Railway Safety

Since 2019, the EMSD has implemented the Comprehensive and Direct Assessment regime, adopting a preventive approach to identify potential risks in the railway systems at an early stage. As at the first quarter of 2025, we have completed 52 routine audits and 12 special audits, making over 1300 recommendations for improvement to the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL). Of these, more than 1100 items have been implemented. In addition to regularly auditing the MTRCL’s assets, such as permanent ways, power distribution systems, rolling stock and signalling systems, the EMSD has been driving the MTRCL to apply I&T for realising the vision of a “smart railway”. Looking ahead, the EMSD will continue to refine its regulatory strategies, integrating experience into the next five-year audit cycle, with a view to further enhancing the reliability of the railway systems and preventing “black swan” incidents.