Safety assured: New ways to secure East Rail trains' underframe components will be ready next month to boost safety.

Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao stresses ensuring train and passenger safety is the paramount task. The KCRC will explore new ways to secure trains' underframe components next month and works will start in March.

Dr Liao told lawmakers today the continued provision of rail services is also important to avoid causing inconvenience to commuters. To ensure train safety, inspection has been carried out round-the-clock, with the number of staff at the bureau's Railway Inspectorate increased to 15 from seven.

She admitted the cracked train equipment problem is complex and involves different components, adding relevant data is being collected and analysed to discover the cause. A more comprehensive probe will start later to find long-term solutions to the problem.

Noting people are concerned over the issue, Dr Liao said she has allowed East Rail to provide service after considering experts' views and confirming the operation is safe.

KCRC Chairman Michael Tien said to boost passengers' confidence, the company will work out new ways to install and secure train's underframe components next month. Works will start in March for completion in a year's time.

Meanwhile, measures are being taken to ensure train safety, such as adding nylon belts and metal frames to reinforce all major underframe equipment, inspecting their integritiy every 48 hours, and keeping records of every inspection to monitor changes.