MTRC's sixth line opens to traffic in HK

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 ◆ MTRC's sixth line opens to traffic in HK

The 12.5-km-long Tseung Kwan O Line, the sixth operating railway line of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway Corporation(MTRC), was open to traffic here on August 18 with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa officiating at the opening ceremony.

The line, commenced in late 1998 and completed its construction four months ahead of schedule, reaches seven stations and a total population of 300,000 residents.

MTRC's Chairman Jack C K So said that after the Tseung Kwan O Line, MTRC would actively prepare for the construction of the Penny's Bay Rail Link on Lantau Island and the cable car system in Tung Chung.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tung Chee Hwa noted the new line provides commuters a means of transport that is fast, comfortable,reliable and environmental-friendly and shortens significantly the commute time.

He pointed out that the completion of the line not only signifies a landmark achievement of the MTRC, but also manifests the SAR Government's commitment to investing for a better Hong Kong.

To build Hong Kong into Asia's world city, "one of our tasks is to develop Hong Kong into a great city with ideal living conditions," of which a good transport network is the most important cornerstone, the chief executive held.

Tung promised that his government will continue to throw substantial investments into railway development, saying one railway project will be completed and commence operation almost every year in the next five years.

MTRC, a local railway company founded in 1979, currently boasts 90-km-long railway line and a daily patronage of about two million passengers, 18.5 percent of Hong Kong's total public transport patronage.