當年今日﹕MTR opens
【明報專訊】In rush hours MTR trains are packed with commuters. That began on 1 October 1979, when the MTR came into operation.
1. Initial planning
In the mid-1960s, when Hong Kong's economy flourished and its population increased, the government sought new ways to ease traffic congestion. In 1967, Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates, a consultancy, submitted to it a report entitled ''Hong Kong Mass Transport Studies''. It was suggested in it that an underground system be built in Hong Kong, where land was scarce. Four lines were proposed, namely Kwun Tong Line, Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line and Shatin Line. However, in 1970, upon further studies, Shatin Line was withdrawn and East Kowloon line was designed instead. The initial system was planned to be roughly 20 km in length, and it would cost $4.5 billion. Many foreign corporations were interested in its construction.
2. The construction
The system was further modified. Still there were problems to be solved. High-rises stood in great numbers in Central, where government offices, businesses and banks were located. That made it hard to carry out tunnelling work there. Besides, properties would have to be demolished and land would have to be resumed by the government. That would mean the government would have to compensate the affected either by swapping land with them or by paying them large sums of money.
The construction began in 1975. During the construction, roads were blocked, more than 50 bus routes were rearranged, and restricted driving time was imposed. Traffic across Victoria Harbour was affected when the harbour floor was dug to allow ships carrying construction materials to pass.
Despite difficulties, the railway was completed. On 4 September 1978 an MTR train had a trial run. It went from Kowloon Bay to Choi Hung. On 1 October 1979 Governor Sir Murray MacLehose rode the first train, when the MTR officially opened to the public.
3. The Corporation
Established in 1975, The MTRC was privatised in 2000 (with the HKSAR government as its majority shareholder). It merged with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation in 2006. There are now 10 MTR lines and 84 stations. The MTRC also operates the light rail system in the New Territories.
There are new MTR lines under construction. They are Shatin-Central Link, South Island Line (East), West Island Line and Kwun Tong Line Extension. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, a cross-boarder railway, is also being built. It is expected to open by the end of 2017.
The company also owns residential developments, commercial buildings and 12 shopping malls. Moreover, one of its subsidiaries issues Octopus cards, which are widely used in shops and public transport.
4. Transportation infrastructure in HK
Hong Kong's rail network has been playing a leading role in our transport system. Buses and minibuses mainly serve those places where trains do not reach. There are ferries across the harbour and between urban areas and outlying islands. The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was completed in 2013. It has been proposed that a third runway should be built in the Hong Kong International Airport.
