Hong Kong International Airport Automated People Mover

Hong Kong International Airport Automated People Mover
Overview
Locale	Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong
Transit type	Automated guideway transit
Number of lines	3
Number of stations	10
Website	www.hongkongairport.com
Operation
Began operation	6 July 1998;26 years ago (1998-07-06)
Operator(s)	Airport Authority Hong Kong MTR Corporation
Number of vehicles	56
Technical
Track gauge	1,700 mm (5 ft 6+15⁄16 in)
System map Legend SkyPier Terminal 2 Depot East Hall, T1 West Hall, T1 Midfield Concourse, T1 Depot T1 arrival line T1 departure line SkyPier line Midfield concourse line

Map of APM

The Hong Kong International Airport APM is a driverless people mover located within Hong Kong International Airport. It operates in two segments within Terminal 1 and the Midfield Concourse, and between Terminals 1, and also connects to the Skypier. It used to also serve Terminal 2 prior to 2019. However, as of May 2024, Terminal 2 is not in service due to redevelopment works and services between Skypier and Terminal 1 pass through Terminal 2 without stopping.

Setup

The first segment runs between the East Hall and the West Hall in Terminal 1. The segment aims to provide a faster and easier way for passengers travelling between immigration and boarding gates at the far end of the Terminal. Westbound service is for departure passengers only, while eastbound service is for arrival passengers only. Passengers cannot take the APM back to the East Hall, where most shops are located. For eastbound service, after reaching the East Hall, all arrival passengers must disembark for immigration, customs, and baggage claim. They are not allowed to take the APM back to the West Hall. Since both the East Hall and the West Hall are located within Terminal 1, passengers can choose to use travellators instead or walk, though this will be more time-consuming.

The second segment of the system runs from the SkyPier to Terminal 2 and then continues to the East Hall of Terminal 1. Different from the first segment, the second segment is the only means by which these three places are connected. SkyPier passengers heading for departing flights must take the westbound service of this segment to the East Hall of Terminal 1. SkyPier passengers are not allowed to alight at Terminal 2. Departure passengers from Terminal 2 can join the westbound service of the second segment from Terminal 2. All passengers must leave the train when it arrives at the East Hall of Terminal 1. Depending on the boarding gate location of their onward flight, passengers can change to the first segment of APM system at the opposite platform of the East Hall, to continue their way to the West Hall, or simply approach the boarding gate directly from the East Hall. The eastbound service is only for arrival passengers heading to SkyPier for ferry service to PRD ports. Ferry tickets will be checked before passengers may board the APM. Once arriving at the SkyPier, passengers cannot travel back to Terminal 1. Since there is no eastbound platform in Terminal 2, there is no intermediate station for the eastbound service.

The section from the East Hall to SkyPier is for SkyPier passengers and staff only. The first segment began operations in 1998, while the second segment began operations in early 2007. The SkyPier extension was opened to the public in late 2009.

In Late 2015, the Midfield Concourse extension was opened when the Midfield Concourse started operation.

Facts

On the platform

Inside a train

• Section Length:
  • From Terminal 1 East Hall to Terminal 1 West Hall: 750m
  • From Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 East Hall: 430m
  • From Skypier to Terminal 2: 750m
  • From Midfield Concourse to Terminal 1 West Hall: 1000m (Estimated figures only)
• Stations: 5 (Gates 201-230, Gates 40-80, Gates 1-36 of Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and SkyPier)
• Rolling Stock:
  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover, 8 cars (phase 1 stock, decommissioned)
  • Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, 12 cars (phase 2 stock)
  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover, 8 cars (phase 3 stock)
  • IHI Corporation|Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, 16 cars (phase 4 stock)
  • Niigata Transys, 20 cars (phase 5 stock)
• Speed: 60 km/h
• Capacity: 60 passengers per car

Expansion

Terminal 2 Concourse

The People Mover will be extended to the Terminal 2 Concourse in the 3rd Runway Development. It is estimated to open in 2024. ^[1] CRRC Puzhen Alstom Transportation System (PATS) won the contract to operate the extension running on Innovia APM 300 stock. ^[2]

The system will be reconfigured into 3 distinct lines: T1 line, T2 line and SkyPier line. T1 line will be extended 1 station eastwards to terminate at T2 APM interchange station. The SkyPier line will be shortened to serve between T2 station and SkyPier station, with a possibility of extending westward to the HZMB Hong Kong port. T2 line will be a brand new line with 3 stations serving T2 passenger terminal and the T2 concourse. The APM capacity will also be increased to six cars per train. ^[3]

Maintenance

The APM system is maintained by MTR Corporation.

References

1. "Hong Kong Third Runway on track for 2022 opening". Dredging Today. 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
2. "O&M contract awarded for Hong Kong Airport APM". 12 July 2022.
3. https://www.threerunwaysystem.com/media/1282/tr_24may_eng_ch5.pdf ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}

• APM
• APM
• Hong Kong Airport People Mover

External links

• Airport Authority SkyCity Brochure