The Hong Kong MTR is a well-established and comprehensive metro system with high ridership and extensive coverage. The Los Angeles Metro (Purple Line Extension) is a newer expansion project aimed at improving connectivity in specific areas of Los Angeles. While both systems share common goals such as accessibility and safety, the Hong Kong MTR boasts a larger scale of operations and a higher on-time performance.
| Attribute | Hong Kong MTR | Los Angeles Metro (Purple Line Extension) |
|---|---|---|
| Service Area Coverage | Connects Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Lantau Island, and the New Territories. Spans 245.3 km of railways as of December 2022. | Expands the existing Purple Line from Wilshire/Western in Koreatown to the Westside of Los Angeles, adding seven new stations through Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, and West Los Angeles. |
| Frequency of Service (Peak Hours) | In 2021, the East Rail Line increased service during morning peak hours to approximately 3-minute intervals from Tai Po Market to Hung Hom Station. The Tuen Ma Line had intervals of about 3.3 minutes between Tsim Sha Tsui East and Tuen Mun Station during peak hours on weekdays. In March 2022, weekday peak hour service frequencies were reduced on several lines due to the pandemic. For example, the East Rail Line increased from 2.9 to 3.5 minutes to 6 to 7 minutes. | Every four minutes during weekday peak periods in 2026, every 2.5 minutes after 2035. |
| Frequency of Service (Off-Peak Hours) | In 2021, MTR increased non-peak hour services on the East Rail Line, Tuen Ma Line, and Tseung Kwan O Line. Some non-peak hours saw train intervals of about 4.7 to 6 minutes. In 2020, the Tung Chung Line and Tuen Ma Line Phase 1 provided train services every 7 minutes during non-peak hours, weekends, and public holidays. The Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Hong Kong Island Line, Tseung Kwan O Line, South Island Line, East Rail Line, and West Rail Line increased to every 3 to 6.5 minutes. | Every ten minutes during weekday off-peak periods and weekends in 2026, every five minutes after 2035. |
| Ticket Pricing and Fare Options | Fares depend on the distance traveled. Adult Fares range from HK$3.50 to $51.00 (US$0.45 6.54). Concessionary Fares are usually half the adult fare, ranging from HK$1.50 to $26.00 (US$0.19-3.35). Octopus Card: An electronic stored-value card that automatically deducts fares and can be used on most major local transportation modes. Single Journey Tickets are available for single trips, with fares based on distance. Tourist Day Pass: A Tourist Day Pass Souvenir Pack is available for HK$68, including one limited edition tourist day pass, one key chain, and one MTR system map. Airport Express Travel Pass: Designed for tourists, including one or two Airport Express journeys and 3 consecutive days of unlimited rides on the MTR, Light Rail, and MTR Bus. | $1.75 for a regular one-way trip, including two hours of free transfers with a TAP card. Offers 1-Day and 7-Day Caps. Discounted fares for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals. |
| Accessibility for Disabled Passengers | The MTR is almost 100% accessible. 90 out of 93 MTR stations have elevators or ramps from the street to the concourse. Stair lifts or wheelchair aids are used where elevators are unavailable. Portable ramps are available to bridge gaps between the train and platform. Tactile guide paths, audible devices on escalators, and induction loops at customer service centers assist visually and hearing-impaired passengers. Designated wheelchair spaces are available on trains. | LA Metro aims to improve reliability and accessibility of elevators and escalators through regular maintenance and upgrades. |
| Real-Time Tracking and Information Availability | The MTR Mobile app provides information on system accessibility. Real-time information is available through the app and at stations. | Navigation tools such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, the Transit app, and the Moovit app are available. |
| Cleanliness and Maintenance of Trains/Stations | MTR invests significantly in maintaining its assets. In 2025, MTR planned to invest HK$65 billion between 2023 and 2028 for asset renewal and maintenance. | LA Metro is constantly working to improve the cleanliness and comfort of the Metro system. |
| Safety and Security Measures | CCTV cameras are installed throughout MTR premises. The MTR system is designed to facilitate policing and crowd control. Police officers are thoroughly trained in crowd and riot control. Automatic Platform Gates (APGs) are being installed at stations to enhance passenger safety. | Security cameras, law enforcement officers, Metro Transit Security Officers, Metro Ambassadors, emergency intercoms, and weapons detection systems (being piloted) are in place. |
| Integration with Other Transportation Modes | The MTR integrates with buses, ferries, and other transportation options. | Improves connectivity to the Metro Bus and Rail network, municipal bus lines, and other regional transportation services. A new $5 L.A. Zone Day Pass includes free transfers to bus and rail transit services in L.A. County. |
| Ridership Volume | In 2023, the MTR carried an average of about 5 million passengers each day. | Current daily passenger ridership of 39,000. Estimated to reach 62,000 upon completion of the first phase and 150,000 by 2040 upon extension to Westwood. Estimated daily ridership on each section of the extension is 21,600 daily linked trips, expected to grow to 36,100 daily linked trips by 2035. |
| On-Time Performance | In 2023, 99.9% of passenger journeys were completed on time. | Red and Purple Line trains depart from stations on time 99.5% of the time. |
| Expansion and Future Development Plans | MTR has several future projects including the Northern Link, Tung Chung Line Extension, and Hung Shui Kiu Station. The Northern Link will connect the Tuen Ma Line and the East Rail Line. The Tung Chung Line Extension includes new stations such as Tung Chung West Station. The MTR is investing over HK$100 billion in the coming decade to advance new railway projects. | Being constructed in three sections: Section 1 (Wilshire/Western to Wilshire/La Cienega) expected to open in late 2025, Section 2 (Wilshire/La Cienega to Century City/Constellation) expected to open in the second half of 2026, and Section 3 (Century City/Constellation to Westwood/VA Hospital) anticipated to open in 2027. |