'MTR', or 'Mass Transit Railway', is the main
rapid transit railway system in
Hong Kong. Since the MTR service first opened in 1979, the network has expanded to encompass seven lines and
53 stations along 91.0 kilometres (56.5 miles).
[1] The MTR system was constructed and is operated by
MTR Corporation Limited. Due to its efficiency and affordability, the MTR system is a common mode of
public transport in Hong Kong, with about 2.557 million journeys recorded each day as of May 2007.
[2] The integration of the
Octopus smart card fare-payment technology into the MTR system in September 1997 has further enhanced the ease of commuting with the MTR.
In 1967, construction of the MTR was prompted by a government-commissioned study. The
Hong Kong Government had previously commissioned a study in the 1960s to find solutions to the growing traffic problem caused by the expansion of the
city's economy.
[ ] Construction started soon after the release of the study, and the first line was opened in 1979. The MTR was immediately popular with residents of Hong Kong; as a result, subsequent lines have been built to cover more territory. There are continual debates regarding how and where to expand the MTR network, including new lines and a possible merger with
Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation.
[3][4]
History
Modified Initial System Route Map.
Initial proposal
During the 1960s, the government of Hong Kong saw a need to accommodate increasing road traffic as Hong Kong's economy continued to grow strongly.
British transportation consultants
Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates were appointed to study the transportation system of Hong Kong. The study was based on the projection of the population of Hong Kong for 1986, estimated at 6,868,000. On
1967-09-01, the consultants submitted to the government the ''Hong Kong Mass Transport Study'', which recommended the construction of a 40-mile rail ''
rapid-transit'' system in Hong Kong. The study suggested that four rail lines be developed in six stages, with a completion date set between December 1973 and December 1984.
Detailed positions of lines and stations were presented in the study. These four lines were
Kwun Tong Line (from
Western Market to
Ma Yau Tong),
Tsuen Wan Line (from
Admiralty to
Tsuen Wan),
Island Line (from
Kennedy to
Chai Wan Central), and Shatin Line (
Tsim Sha Tsui to
Wo Liu Hang).
The study was submitted to the
Legislative Council on
1968-02-14. The consultants received new data of 1966
by-census in
1968-03-06. A short supplementary report was submitted on
1968-03-22 and amended in June 1968. The by-census indicated that the projected 1986 population was reduced to 5,647,000, a reduction from a previous estimate by more than 1 million. The dramatic reduction in projection affected
town planning. The population distribution was largely different from the original study. The 1986 populations of
Castle Peak New Town,
Sha Tin New Town, and, to a lesser extent,
Tsuen Wan New Town, were not as high as expected, and the plan of a new town in
Tseung Kwan O was abandoned. In this updated scenario, the consultants diminished the scale of the recommended system. The supplementary report stated that the originally suggested four tracks between
Admiralty station and
Mong Kok station should be reduced to two, and only the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, and Kwun Tong Line should be constructed in the system. The other lines would be placed in the list of extensions.
[5] This report led to the final report in 1970.
In 1970, a system with four lines was laid out and planned as part of the British consultants' new report, ''Hong Kong Mass Transit: Further Studies''. The four lines were to be the Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line, and
East Kowloon Line.
[6] However, the lines that were eventually constructed were somewhat different compared to the lines that were originally proposed by the ''Hong Kong Mass Transport Study''.
In 1972, the Hong Kong government authorised construction of the ''Initial System'', a 20-kilometre system that roughly translates to the Kwun Tong Line of today. Negotiations with four major construction
consortia started in 1973. The government's intention was to tender the entire project, based on the British design, as a single tender at a fixed price. A consortium from
Japan signed an agreement to construct the system in early 1974, but in December of the same year, it pulled out of the agreement for reasons stemming from fears of the
Arab oil crisis.
[7]
Modified Initial System (1979 to 1980)
Choi Hung station was one of the earliest stations to begin operations on the network.
Several weeks later, in early 1975, a government agency known as the Mass Transport Provisional Authority was established to take charge of the project. It announced that the Initial System would be reduced to 15.6–kilometres, and renamed it the Modified Initial System. Plans for a single contract were abandoned in favour of 25 engineering contracts and 10 electrical and mechanical contracts. In addition, the government-owned Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) was established to replace the Mass Transport Provisional Authority. (This was the company succeeded by the
MTR Corporation Limited on
2000-06-30.)
Construction of the Modified Initial System (now part of Kwun Tong Line and Tsuen Wan Line) commenced in November 1975. The northern section was completed on
1979-09-30 and opened on
1979-10-01; on this route, trains ran from
Shek Kip Mei to
Kwun Tong. The route from
Tsim Sha Tsui to Shek Kip Mei was opened in December of the same year.
7
In 1980, the first
harbour crossing was made by an MTR train as the
Kwun Tong Line was extended even further to
Chater station, now known as
Central station. To deal with increasing patronage, trains were extended to six cars.
Line extensions in 1980s
The government approved construction of the
Tsuen Wan Line in 1977, then known as Tsuen Wan Extension, and works commenced in November 1978. The project added a 10.5-kilometre section to the MTR system, from
Prince Edward to
Tsuen Wan. The line started service on
1982-05-107 with a total cost of construction (not adjusted for inflation) at
HK$4.1 billion.
When service of this line started, the section of the Kwun Tong Line from Chater to
Argyle, the present-day
Mong Kok station, was transferred to the Tsuen Wan Line. Thus,
Waterloo became the terminus of the Kwun Tong Line, and both Argyle and Prince Edward stations became interchange stations. This change was made because system planners expected the traffic of the Tsuen Wan Line to exceed that of the Kwun Tong Line. This forecast proved to be accurate, necessitating a bypass from the northwestern New Territories to
Hong Kong Island. The
Tung Chung Line was therefore launched in 1998 with an interchange station at
MTR for that purpose.
7
Although land acquisitions were made for a station at Tsuen Wan West, the station was never built. This is not to be confused with
Tsuen Wan West Station on
KCR West Rail, which lies on the newly reclaimed area near the former ferry pier.
Since the line's opening in 1982, the Tsuen Wan Line is the only line whose alignment has virtually remained the same for the past 23 years. For example, the Kwun Tong Line's alignment has changed twice since its opening — the taking over of Tsuen Wan Line from Mong Kok to Central, and the taking over of Eastern Harbour Crossing section by the Tseung Kwan O Line.
Government approvals were granted for construction of the
Island Line in December, 1980. Construction commenced in October, 1981. On
1985-05-31 the Island Line was opened with service between
Admiralty and
Chai Wan stations. Both Admiralty and
Central stations became interchange stations with the Tsuen Wan Line. Furthermore, each train was extended to eight cars.
7
On
1986-05-23, the Island Line was extended to
Sheung Wan. Construction for its station was delayed for one year as government offices which sat on top of the station had to be removed to a new location before construction could start.
In 1984, the government approved the construction of the
Eastern Harbour Crossing, a tunnel to be used by cars and MTR trains. The
Kwun Tong Line was extended across the harbour on
1989-08-05 to
Quarry Bay, which became an interchange station for the Kwun Tong Line and the
Island Line. An intermediate station,
Lam Tin, started operations on
1989-10-01.
7
Airport connection
The decision was made in October 1989 to construct a new international airport at
Chek Lap Kok on
Lantau Island to replace the overcrowded
Kai Tak International Airport.
[8] The government invited the MTR to build a train line, then known as the Lantau Airport Railway, to the airport. Construction in November 1994, after the
Chinese and British governments settled their financial and land disagreements.
The new line was included in the financing plans of the new
Hong Kong International Airport as the airport was not considered viable without direct public transport links. Construction costs were also shared by the MTR which was granted many large-scale developments in the construction plans for the new stations.
The Lantau Airport Railway turned into two MTR lines, the Tung Chung Line and the Airport Express. The
Tung Chung Line was officially opened on
1998-06-21 by
Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, and service commenced the next day. The
Airport Express opened for service on
1998-07-06 along with the new Hong Kong International Airport.
7
The Airport Express line is the second most popular means of transport to the Hong Kong International Airport after buses. In 2006, 23% of the commuters took the Airport Express to and from the airport.
[9]
Line extensions in 2000s
The Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works involved extending the
Hong Kong Island end of the
Kwun Tong Line from
Quarry Bay to
North Point via a 4.2–kilometre tunnel. The project was initiated due to overcrowding at
Quarry Bay and persistent passenger complaints about the 5-minute walk from the
Island Line platforms to the Kwun Tong Line platform. Construction began in September 1997 and was completed in September 2001 at a cost of
HK$3.0 billion.
[10]
Construction of the
Tseung Kwan O Line was approved on
1998-08-18 to serve new housing developments. Construction began on
1999-04-24 and the line officially opened in 2002, taking over the train tracks running through the
Eastern Harbour Tunnel from the Kwun Tong Line, running from
Po Lam to
North Point. When the line was opened, the Kwun Tong Line was diverted to
Tiu Keng Leng on the new line. Construction costs were partly covered by the Hong Kong Government and private developers which linked construction of the Tseung Kwan O Line to new real estate and commercial developments. Previously under-developed areas were opened up for development with more transport options.
[11]
While the construction of the Tung Chung Line was still underway, the plan to build a railway corridor serving the northwestern New Territories was conceived. Space had been reserved for the addition of an interchange station and two extra tracks (to allow non-stop service for the Airport Express) between
Olympic and
Lai King. Originally known as the Airport Railway Phase 2, the contracts of the West Rail Interface Works were awarded shortly after construction works of the West Rail commenced. The project comprised Mei Foo Interchange (modification of the existing
Mei Foo station on the Tsuen Wan Line to provide a pedestrian link to the West Rail
Mei Foo station; Nam Cheong Station (an interchange station on the Tung Chung Line, jointly operated by the MTRC and KCRC) and 4-Tracking Works (the additional two tracks, 4–kilometres in length, allow the Tung Chung Line trains to stop at Nam Cheong without obstructing the passage of
Airport Express trains).
[12]
The works were completed in stages. The Tung Chung Line trains have been diverted to the new track since mid May 2003, whereas the Mei Foo station interchange subway and the Nam Cheong station were opened at the same time the West Rail opened for public use in December 2003.
Two major works have been undertaken to facilitate interchange between MTR and KCR East Rail. The modification of
Kowloon Tong station started in June 2001. A new pedestrian link to East Rail
Kowloon Tong station southern concourse and a new entrance were completed in June 2003 to cope with the increase in interchange passenger flow.
12
Modification to
Tsim Sha Tsui Station involved upgrading station facilities and concourse layout to facilitate access from the
East Tsim Sha Tsui East Rail station via its pedestrian links. New entrances to the subway links were opened on
2004-09-19 (for KCR Mody Road subway) and
2005-03-30 (for Nathan Road subway, which connects to KCR Middle Road subway), with the whole scheme completed in May 2005.
The
Disneyland Resort Line, previously known as Penny's Bay Rail Link, provides service to the
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort which was opened on
2005-09-12. Service to
Sunny Bay station on the
Tung Chung Line started on
2005-06-01. The new line and
Disneyland Resort station opened for service on
2005-08-01.
The Disneyland Resort Line is a 3.5–kilometre single-track railway that runs between
Sunny Bay station and Disneyland Resort station; The Disneyland Resort station itself is designed to blend in with the Hong Kong Disneyland to create a resort ambience. The line currently operates two four-car fully-automated trains (each car accommodating up to 180 passengers) running every four to ten minutes, the carriages of which were converted from the existing rolling stock to suit the recreational and adventurous nature of the 3.5 minute journey.
[13]
The new
AsiaWorld-Expo station is an extension of the Airport Express serving the new international exhibition centre, known as the
AsiaWorld-Expo at Hong Kong International Airport. The station opened on
2005-12-20 along with the exhibition centre. To cope with the projected increase in patronage, Airport Express trains have been expanded to utilise eight carriages from the previous seven. Additional trains will also be deployed on the Tung Chung line during major exhibitions and events.
[14]
Privatisation
Maritime Square is one of the major properties financing the MTR. MTR receives rents from shop tenants in the shopping mall and collects management fees from flat owners of sold residential property (Tierra Verde) above the mall.
On
2000-10-05 the operator of the MTR network,
MTR Corporation Limited, became Hong Kong's first
privatised rail and metro company, marking the beginning of the Hong Kong government's planned initiative to wind down its interests in various public
utilities. Prior to its listing on the
Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation was wholly owned by the Hong Kong Government. The offering involved the sale of around one billion
shares, and the company now has the largest
shareholder base of any company listed in Hong Kong. In June 2001, MTR Corporation Limited was transferred to the
Hang Seng Index.
MTR Corporation Limited has always been reliant on developing properties next to railway stations for its profits to complement its already profitable rail lines. Many recently built stations are incorporated into large housing estates or shopping complexes. Examples can be seen at
Tsing Yi station, which is built next to the
Maritime Square shopping centre, and directly underneath the
Tierra Verde housing estate.
On
2006-04-11, MTR Corporation Limited signed a non-binding
Memorandum of Understanding with the
Hong Kong Government, the owner of
Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), to merge the operation of the two railway networks of Hong Kong. If eventually approved, MTR Corporation Limited will take over the operation of the
KCR network and combine the fare system of the two networks in late
2007.
[15][16]
Infrastructure
Network
Current system map of the MTR. For the bilingual version of the MTR map, click
map2.jpg here.
Depots and interchange stations
Depots are located at
Kowloon Bay (for Kwun Tong Line),
Tsuen Wan (for Tsuen Wan Line),
Heng Fa Chuen (for Island Line), and
Tseung Kwan O South (for Tseung Kwan O Line).
Tung Chung Line,
Airport Express, and
Disneyland Resort Line trains are serviced at
Siu Ho Wan between
Tung Chung and
Sunny Bay.
Interchange stations between the Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O lines are arranged in pairs; such an arrangement allows
cross-platform interchange wherein a passenger leaves a train on one side of the platform and boards trains on the other side of the platform for another line. For example, when passengers are travelling on the
Kwun Tong Line towards
Tiu Keng Leng, getting off at
Yau Tong would allow them to switch trains across the platform for the
Tseung Kwan O Line towards
North Point. Whereas, staying on the train and reaching
Tiu Keng Leng would allow them to board the Tseung Kwan O Line trains towards
Po Lam.
This mechanism not only makes it more convenient for passengers, it also reduces the amount of traffic per station. Riders are made aware of the closest connection point by way of in-train visual and auditory messages. Although riders can disregard these tips, the design of the stations are for the convenience of passengers.
Station facilities, amenities and services
With the high level of daily passenger traffic, facilities of the 53 MTR stations are built with
durability and
accessibility in mind. After extensive retrofitting, the MTR system has become, in general,
disabled-friendly — the trains have dedicated
wheelchair space, the stations have special floor tiles to guide the
blind safely on the platforms, and there are extra wide entry and exit gates for
wheelchairs as well.
A full
GSM (
GSM-900 and
GSM-1800),
CDMA and
TDMA mobile phone network is in place through out the MTR system of stations and tunnels allowing passengers to stay connected underground. Currently, full
3G network coverage in all stations and tunnels for the MTR system has been provided by
3 Hong Kong,
SmarTone-Vodafone and
PCCW Mobile. Passengers with subscription services will be able to make video calls and access high speed video content on their mobile phones regardless whether the train is above ground or under ground.
[17]
Until recently, MTR stations only had branches of the
Hang Seng Bank and
Maxim's Cakes stores, owned by
Jardine Matheson, and a handful of other shops. Since the privatisation of the MTR, however, numerous shops have been added to certain stations, turning them into miniature shopping centres. Services available at most stations include
ATMs and
7-Eleven or
Circle K convenience stores. Apart from retailers, there are also
dentists and medical
clinics,
drycleaners, and
florists along the Tseung Kwan O Line. Standard services include
payphones,
vending machines (
Coca-Cola only), and self-service photo-booths.
Free magazines and newspapers are distributed across MTR stations. ''Recruit'' was the first free magazine which was solely distributed in MTR stations since July 1992, but the contract between the magazine and MTR was terminated in July 2002. Another recruitment magazine ''Jiu Jik'' (招職), published by ''
South China Morning Post'', replaced ''Recruit'' as the only free recruitment magazine distributed in MTR stations on every Tuesdays and Fridays. The ''
Metropolis Daily'' (都市日報), published by
Metro International, is the first free newspaper distributed free in MTR stations from Monday to Friday (except
public holidays); and in 2005, there is another weekend newspaper ''Express Post'' (快線周報), distributed every Saturday except public holidays. The ''Metropop'' (都市流行), a weekly magazine featuring cultural affairs and city trends also published by
Metro International, started its distribution in MTR stations every Thursdays since
2006-04-27, few months after the termination of ''Hui Kai Guide'' (去街 Guide) in 2006.
Unlike many other metro systems around the world, "main line" MTR stations do not have toilet facilities opened for public, although their installation has been contemplated. Only stations on the
Airport Express and
Disneyland Resort Line have access to toilet facilities.
The
Airport Express also offer value-added services to travellers on the line. Airport check-in facilities are available at Kowloon Station and Hong Kong Station. A free Airport Express shuttle bus service transports travellers from stations to their respective hotels as well. Flight passengers can even have in-town check-in at the station, which offers a more convenient and time-saving routine.
[18]
Future expansions
Main articles: Future projects of the MTR,
West Island Line and South Island Line,
Sha Tin to Central Link
A possible network map of MTR in future, if MTR Corporation Limited were to take over the operation of the
KCR network.
Several future projects on the MTR have been put forward by
MTR Corporation Limited to the
Hong Kong Government, some already under construction. The network is also set to be significantly expanded with the merger of MTR Corporation Limited with the government-owned
Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), with the non-binding
Memorandum of Understanding signed on
2006-04-11 to grant MTR Corporation operation of the existing
KCR network with a service concession of 50 years. The new
Sha Tin to Central Link that was originally awarded to KCRC would now also be operated by MTR Corporation Limited, which will run from
Tai Wai Station in
Tai Wai to
Central.
1516
Provisions are made to upgrade the existing infrastructure of the MTR. New
subway links to the stations are also being made for better access, and an extension for the
Tseung Kwan O Line to create a branch line to
Tseung Kwan O South has been gazetted. A further proposal to extend the existing
Kwun Tong Line to
Whampoa Garden, together in a tie-up with the Sha Tin to Central Link expansion have been made in April 2006.
14
The
West Island Line and South Island Line, first put forward to the government by MTR Corporation Limited on
2003-01-21, only received approval on
2005-06-30 after its heavily-modified fourth proposal. This consisted of West Island Line extending the Island Line to
Kennedy Town, South Island Line (East section) from
Admiralty to Ap Lei Chau and South Island Line (West section) that connects the previous two lines. Consultation is underway and the whole extension should be completed and operational by 2012.
[19]
Rolling stock
Interior of the refurbished M-Train, the oldest trains on the MTR.
Four variations of rolling stock operate on the MTR on 1.5–
kilovolts DC overhead electrification. All trains are
electric multiple units (
EMUs), equipped with
ATC and
ATP, operating on 1432–
millimetre rail gauge. Except for the rolling stock of the Airport Express, all trains are designed with features to cope with high density passenger traffic on stopping services. Examples are the latitudinal seating arrangement, additional
ventilation fans and 5 doors on each side per car.
The
Tung Chung Line and the
Airport Express originally use dedicated rolling stock designs specified to their respective lines. Initially run in 7-car formations, they have now been lengthened to eight cars. These two variations are built jointly by
Adtranz (now
Bombardier Transportations) and
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles between 1994–97.
[ Lantau Line and Airport Railway, Hong Kong, China ]
The other lines are operated using a mixture of the other two variations, known as the "M-Train" and the "K-Stock". The "M-Stock" (or CM-Stock") of "M-Train" are the oldest trains on the MTR, built originally by
Metro Cammell (now
Alstom)
[20] and refurbished by
United Goninan.
[21] The "M-Train" is the only variation that uses sliding doors, as opposed to others which use plug-doors. The "K-Stock" are built jointly by
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and
ROTEM, first put into service on the Kwun Tong Line.
[22] Subsequently in 2006, four additional sets joined the Tung Chung Line to cope with the increasing passenger traffic.
[23]
The
Disneyland Resort Line uses driverless "M-Trains" with their appearance overhauled to suit the atmosphere and theme of the line.
Windows on each carriage and the handrails inside are made into the shape of
Mickey Mouse's head, and there are bronze-made
Disney characters decorating the interior of the carriages.
Fares and tickets
As of January 2005, there are two different fare classes on the MTR: Adult and concessionary. Only children below the age of 12,
senior citizens 65 years or older, or full-time Hong Kong students between the ages of 12 and 25 qualify for the concessionary rate. Children below the age of 3 travel free.
Similar to some other metro systems in the world, the fare payable by a passenger depends on the approximate distance travelled. However, taking any particular station as the origin, the other stations fall into fare "zones" depending on the distance from the origin. The fare to all stations in a "zone" is the same and increases with distance, especially if the journey involves a harbour crossing. Adult fares range from
HK$3.80 to $26.00. Concessionary fares are usually half the adult fare, and range from HK$2.40 to $13.00. Fares for the Airport Express Line are significantly higher.
Octopus cards
Obverse side of a standard adult card.
A single journey ticket for adults.
The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless
smart card used in an electronic payment system in Hong Kong. It was launched in September 1997 for use on both the MTR and the
KCR and now is the most widely used
electronic cash system for transactions in Hong Kong as many retailers are fitted with readers.
[24]
The Octopus card uses
radio frequency identification (
RFID) technology so that users need only hold the card in front of the reader. Physical contact is not required, and the card need not even be taken out because the reader can penetrate through material. This fare collection system has been so popular that many cities such as
Singapore,
London,
Chicago, and
Taipei have adopted the idea, launching their own version of
smart cards, respectively named
EZ-link,
Oyster card, and
EasyCard.
Except for the Airport Express, MTR fares are slightly lower when using an Octopus card compared to using single journey tickets. For example, the cost of the 3-minute journey from
Admiralty to
Tsim Sha Tsui across the
Victoria Harbour is (
as of 2005) HK$7.9 using the Octopus card, compared with HK$9.0 for a single-journey ticket.
[25]
Tourist pass
Two types of tourist passes are available: one allows unlimited rides for a single day (at HK$50), while the other allows three days of unlimited rides on the MTR, with a stored value of HK$20, refundable deposit of HK$50 and choice of either a single (HK$220) or return (HK$300) trip on the Airport Express.
Tourists are required to produce proof of tourist status, (e.g. passports or, in the case of
Mainland travellers, entry permits) when purchasing the pass, and whenever requested by a ticket inspector during spot-checks.
[26]
Other fares
The
magnetic fare card system is used for single journey tickets. These tickets are pre-paid for between pre-determined stations, and are good for only one trip. There are no return tickets, except on the Airport Express.
Fares for the Airport Express are substantially different from main line fares. Apart from single tickets, same-day return tickets (same price as a single), and one-month return tickets are also available.
A one-day pass can be used to unlimited travel to/from
Hong Kong Disneyland within the same day, and costs HK$50. This pass can be purchased from any MTR Customer Service Centres or Airport Express Customer Service Centres.
13
Safety
Various campaigns and activities are taken to help ensure that the MTR is a
safe system to travel on. Poster campaigns displaying information on topics such as
escalator safety are a common sight in all MTR stations, and announcements are made regularly as safety reminders to travelling passengers.
Bylaws have been recently introduced to deter potentially dangerous actions on the MTR, such as the ban on flammable goods on the MTR and rushing into trains when the doors are closing.
Penalties ranging from
fines to
imprisonment have been imposed for such offences.
[27] Metallic
balloons are also banned due to previous incidents on
KCR and on MTR's Island Line where a metallic balloon interfered with the operation of the
overhead power lines.
Police officers patrol the trains and stations, and police posts are available at some stations. The
Hong Kong Police Force has a Railway District responsible for the MTR and the
KCR.
Closed-circuit television cameras are installed in stations.
[28]
Tung Chung Line, the
Airport Express and
Tseung Kwan O Line, except
Quarry Bay station, had
platform screen doors (PSDs), delivered by
Swiss glass door manufacturer
Kaba Gilgen AG[29][30]
, installed upon construction. These doors prevent people from falling onto the rails, and MTRC assumed that this implementation was primarily a safety campaign, without heavily promoting it directly. However, the primary motivation was to separate the stations from the tunnels, hence allowing substantial energy savings on station
air-conditioning and tunnel
ventilation.
[31] Automatic platform gates (APGs) have also been installed at the
Sunny Bay and
Disneyland Resort stations. Their heights are half of the PSDs and only prevent people from falling onto the rails.
In June 2000, The MTR Corporation proceeded with its plans to retrofit 2,960 pairs of platform screen doors at all 30 underground stations on the Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, and Island Line in a six year programme. The programme made MTR the world's first railway to undertake the retrofitting of PSDs on a passenger-carrying system already in operation. A prototype design was first introduced at
Choi Hung station in the 3rd quarter of 2001.
HK$0.10 per passenger trip was levied on
Octopus card users to help fund the
HK$2 billion retrofit programme. The whole installation scheme was completed in October 2005. The original completion year was 2006. The MTR Corporation said that part of the cost had to be assumed by passengers.
[32]
MTR and the Community
Art promotion
Main articles: Art in MTR
With the objective "not only bring MTR passengers more time for life, but also more time for
art", the "
Art in MTR" Initiative has been a success since its reception in 1998, where the Airport Express Artwork Programme was the pioneer project. Thereafter, live performances, art exhibitions, display of artwork by established and emerging artists, students and young children have been brought into the MTR stations. MTR Corporation Limited have even made art part of the station
architecture when building new stations or renovating existing ones. Artworks are exhibited in different forms on the network, including "arttube", open art gallery, community art galleries, roving art, living art, and art in station architecture.
[33]
By incorporating elements of art into the railway network, the travelling environment for the passengers is not only enhanced, but also makes their journeys even more pleasant and enjoyable. Moreover, with MTR stations being an integral part of the neighbourhood, the programme also provides opportunities to promote Hong Kong's community art, encourage art appreciation among the public and give residents a feeling of home at the stations.
MTR HONG KONG Race Walking
MTR and
Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association have jointly hosted MTR HONG KONG Race Walking annually in
spring since 2005. The
race walking competition aims at promoting healthy living in Hong Kong. The race begins and ends on the ground above Central MTR Station, namely
Chater Garden,
Chater Road,
Ice House Street and
Des Voeux Road Central in
Central.
[34][35] There is a fun walk apart from regular competition. Participants make up for fun in the fun walk. The event attracted over 800 participants in 2005 and 1,000 in 2006.
[36] Other than
Hongkongers, the event also attracts
athletes from various countries. The race raises fund for
Better Health for a Better Hong Kong, a
Hospital Authority project for working population.
[37][38]
See also
★
KCR
★
Transport in Hong Kong
★
MTR Corporation Limited
★
Trains on the MTR
★
Future projects of the MTR
★
List of MTR stations
★
List of metro systems worldwide
References
1. Mass Transit Railway
2. Patronage Updates
3. Government has reached understanding with MTRCL on the terms for merging the MTR and KCR systems
4. Possible Merger of MTR and KCR Systems
5.
6.
7. The History
8. The Airport Railway Project
9. Annual Report 2006
10. Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works
11. Tseung Kwan O Extension
12. Recently Completed Projects
13. MTR Disneyland Resort Line
14. Projects in Progress (Hong Kong)
15. MTR Corporation Signs Memorandum of Understanding with The Government on Terms of Proposed Rail Merger
16. KCRC welcomes Government’s announcement on way forward for rail merger
17. First 3G Operator to Connect to Four Major MTR line
18. Complimentary service exclusively for Airport Express Passengers
19. West Island Line & South Island Line
20. Metro in Hong Kong
21. United Group Limited secures million Hong Kong rail maintenance contract
22. MTRC TKE C651 EMU, Hong Kong
23. New trains ordered for Tung Chung Line, Hong Kong
24. Our History
25. Journey Time & Fare
26. Hong Kong Tourist Transport Passes
27. Mass Transit Railway By-laws
28.
29. Automatic Platform Screen Doors for public transportation 29/8/2008
30. Investor's Handbook 2002/2003
31. Platform Screen Door (2002/8)
32. LCQ16:Retrofitting of PSDs at MTR stations to be completed by 2006
33. art in mtr
34. MTR HONG KONG Race Walking 2007
35. Race information (2007)
36. Race Information (2006)
37. The City Walks for Fun
38. Race Walking to Make Debut in Hong Kong
External links
★
MTR Corporation Limited
★
Map of the Hong Kong MTR
★
Journey time and Fare Information
★
Information on Octopus Cards used for fare payment in the MTR
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