Hong Kong MTR Subway

[sfgadv02]

Chek Lap Kok and Incheon are two different airports but I also have the feeling of a similar system to HK with an express train from Incheon to Seoul.

Yea I know, but have you seem the interior? When I first saw it, I thought it was HK's. O.o

[hkskyline]

By thomaswu from a Hong Kong transport forum :

地 鐵 大 嶼 山 路 線
http://aero.bhscmc.edu.hk/~021d40/trainphoto/20060213/IMGP3396.jpg
http://aero.bhscmc.edu.hk/~021d40/trainphoto/20060213/IMGP0454.jpg
http://aero.bhscmc.edu.hk/~021d40/trainphoto/20060213/IMGP3656.jpg

[WANCH]

The Disney trains are one of the most creative I"ve ever seen. And I like this one compared to Tokyo's :)

[hkth]

MTR Projects' updates can refer here (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/extensions.html). :|

[hkskyline]

地鐵港島南線催化旅遊
業界「好心急」 愈快興建愈好
19/02/2006
太陽報

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060219/img/sn04021909_big.jpg

【專案組記者陳佩雯報道】香港南區憑漁港風情，成為旅遊人士必到的勝景，但一直受交通不便而阻礙發展，一套高效率的鐵路運輸系統有助將南區催化成本港首屈一指的旅遊區。香港旅遊發展局主席周梁淑怡希望當局可盡快落實興建地鐵港島南線，又認為若要將南區發展成為香港著名旅遊區，除須具備足夠的「產品」外，更重要的是得到運輸基建「硬件」配合，否則即使獨特如海洋公園一類的主題景點，也難帶動遊客到訪。

旅發局主席周梁淑怡接受本報專訪時稱，在南區旅遊業發展的規劃中，已落實大變身的海洋公園對該區的整體發展起「龍頭」作用，當其工程相繼完工，南區其他旅遊發展及配套亦得到推動。她透露，現已至少有九至十間酒店計畫在南區興建，其他配套設施亦正在規劃中，料海洋公園的重整可推動其他規劃落實進行。

串連南區各景點
未來若要吸引大量旅客到訪南區，完善的運輸網絡是必備條件。周梁淑怡認為，地鐵港島南線的興建可以將南區各個旅遊點串連起來，又表示旅遊業界均「好心急」，希望愈快落實興建愈好，因為沒有大型集體運輸系統及基建配合，南區有再多再好的旅遊景點也是徒然，因擠塞的交通將無法負荷未來大量的旅客流量。

周梁淑怡表示，旅發局近年正積極向外國推廣不同形式的家庭旅遊，本港高效率的運輸系統對該類舉家外遊的旅客有一定吸引力，正如在南區，不乏適合一家大小的玩樂好去處，由主題樂園到適合綠色旅遊的郊野公園，以至海岸沙灘等，均需要有完善的運輸連接。

[hkth]

MTR News Press Release:
"Red-white-blue" Nylon Fabric Capturing Children's Faith, Hope and Love in Hong Kong (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-015-E.pdf)

[Momo1435]

This is probally the biggest and oldest active thread on SSC, it gone way past the 500 post limit. This has a negative effect on the speed of the forum. There should be a second thread, made by one of the HK'ers.


and this thread, :lock:

[hkskyline]

If the mods think this thread is getting too big, then feel free to close it and I'll start a part 2 thread.

MTR surges as rail merger gets back on track
Rail assets likely to stay in government hands as KCRC loses grip on controls
21 February 2006
South China Morning Post

MTR Corp shares jumped to a fresh high of $16.90 yesterday on expectations the government is about to conclude its long-awaited merger with Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp (KCRC).

The stock rose 1.19 per cent to more than double its issue price at its listing in 2000.

MTR and the government, its controlling shareholder, aimed to end merger talks in the next few weeks, sources said.

Brokers hoped the news would not be another false alarm after Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen in his first policy address in October last year said that merger talks were in their final stages.

Mr Tsang and Sarah Liao Sau-tung, the head of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, are keen supporters of the merger. During his recent visit to KCRC's Sha Tin headquarters, Mr Tsang assured KCRC staff of their job security following a merger.

"The government is very close to wrapping up the deal," one source said. "It is likely to be done within the coming few weeks."

Another source close to the government said matter was now in the hands of Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau chief Frederick Ma Si-hang, who had yet to determine a valuation for the merger.

"The Treasury bureau is very unlikely to complete on time on Wednesday when Financial Secretary [Henry Tang Ying-yen] is due to deliver his budget speech," the source said.

A spokeswoman for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said yesterday: "There is progress in the merger discussions but it is not appropriate to comment on the likely timetable at this stage."

First made in 2003, the merger proposal was almost derailed last month by safety issues connected with defective train components.

Sources said the government favoured a partial merger with the integration of MTR and KCRC operations and maintenance services.

MTR would assume management of KCRC rail services but ownership of the rail assets would remain with the government.

This is to avoid the government selling KCRC assets at a discount, given the corporation's projects - such as the West Rail and East Rail extensions - are in the early stages of operation. The KCRC is on track to complete the Lok Ma Chau spur line and Kowloon Southern link in the next three years.

However, there have been rumours that the government and MTR had encountered obstacles on the valuation of KCRC's rail assets and properties.

The merger talks also focus on how to meet the government's competing objectives of lowering train fares, scrapping second-board charges, enhancing efficiency and productivity and protecting the interests of 360,000 MTR minority shareholders while at the same time assuring front-line staff their employment would not be affected.

[hkskyline]

MTR extension will hit buses and jobs, Citybus chief
Residents and rail operator's profits will also suffer, he says
24 February 2006
South China Morning Post

The MTR Southern extension line will likely create a lose-lose situation that would not only hurt the MTR Corporation's profits but also force bus companies to axe 600 jobs, cut 200 buses from their fleets and reduce services.

The warning was issued yesterday to politicians and Southern District residents by Lyndon Rees, head of Citybus and New World First Bus.

Mr Rees, the founder of Citybus, was speaking four days before retiring as managing director of Citybus and New World First Bus.

"If you ask the politicians whether they want extension of the railway into the area, they'll all say yes," he said. "But if you say a railway in the Southern District will pose threats to bus operations and bus services will be more expensive, they'll probably change their mind."

He said a railway extension could be very damaging to the bus companies, while it was also highly unlikely the line would be profitable. "A lot of these branch railway lines in America were eliminated because they don't make any money, but it could mean a reduction of 200 buses in our fleet and 500 to 600 jobs could be lost," he said.

Mr Rees said it had always been difficult to run a bus company in Hong Kong.

"A friend who gave up his Porsche to travel on my air-con bus on the Happy Valley route called me a few months ago and told me the bus was three minutes late that morning. This is how demanding members of the public are."

When Mr Rees came to Hong Kong to join the Transport Department in 1969, the bus services were in a terrible state. "I was shocked by the condition of buses, which were either rundown or broken, and there were not enough of them. It was common to see hundreds of passengers waiting patiently for hours in the pouring rain," he said.

A year later, he left the government to join China Motor Bus in the hope of reforming the whole bus fleet and culture. Within five years, he became known as the man who had shrunk a five-man bus operation to a lone driver, and the one who had introduced flat fares, a queuing culture and double-decker buses.

Commuters were strongly opposed to double-decker buses and one-man operation at the time, believing them to be dangerous and inconvenient. But Mr Rees showed his commitment to the reform by driving the first one-man bus in 1970 from Wan Chai ferry pier to Shau Kei Wan. Double-deckers were roaming the streets of the city by 1975, and five years later Mr Rees left the company to start a new bus company with just one double-decker, five staff and one route.

"I worked 20 hours a day and received no pay for the first five years. I worked in a container full of mice and had to take shelter under an umbrella on rainy days," he recalled.

But the hard work paid off when Citybus won its first non-franchised bus routes between City One in Sha Tin and Kowloon Tong MTR station in 1981. More were added in later years, when Citybus also became the first to buy an open-top and air-conditioned bus in 1985. Mr Rees also introduced cross-border services in 1985.

"To work in the bus industry is like working in a labour camp. It is an onerous and stressful job, and you have a lot of responsibility for your staff and customers. You worry about accidents and the well-being of everybody. There were times when I wanted to do something else, something I always wanted to do but which I haven't had time to do."

One is to set up a Transport Museum to display vintage buses that are "scattered all over the place" in the New Territories. Mr Rees has discussed the concept with various government officials but will only start looking for a venue after returning this winter from a seven-month trip to London.

New World deputy managing director Samuel Cheng Wai-po will take over from Mr Rees on March 1.

[Blackraven]

Waaah, MTR and KCR are already top notch companies in the public transportation business.

Join forces and these two combined WILL ENTIRELY DOMINATE THE GLOBAL MASS TRANSIT SCENE.

Together, they will rule the mass transit world.

Speaking of MTR Corp., the trains for Disneyland Resort Line and the Airport Express line are really sleek. No doubt that those are one hell of premium-looking coaches/train cars.

And heck after five years since my last visit, I really do want go visit Hong Kong again.

[AG]

A few pics I took on the MTR while over in HK:

Typical station entrance to the MTR. This is one entrance on Nathan Road to TST MTR Station.

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/6791/tsimshatsui013td.jpg

A Tung Chung Line train passes near Sunny Bay Station.

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4927/tungchungline012kk.jpg

On a Chai Wan bound Island Line train at Admiralty. Note how the information is provided on the boards above the doors.

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/5931/admiraltymtr0jv.jpg

The Yau Ma Tei bound platform at Kowloon Tong:

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/3267/kowloontongmtr16zm.jpg

A train arriving on the Tiu Keng Leng bound platform at Kowloon Tong:

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/957/kowloontongmtr20sm.jpg

[hkth]

This is one entrance on Nathan Road to TST MTR Station.

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/6791/tsimshatsui013td.jpg

AG, I read the news a few weeks ago and it said the two MTR exits near the Going-to-tearing down Hyatt Hotel in your photo is planned to be demonished all together. It would be built a new exit under the new commerical building for the current place of the Hyatt Hotel. That would be the same way as Langham Place in Mong Kok. :|

[AG]

I did hear about that. AFAIK one of those entrances being ripped out is the one adjacent to The Peninsula.

This photo is actually taken further north from the southern entrances. This entrance is just north of Peking Road (C1 IIRC).

[hkskyline]

LCQ5 : Temperature in MTRC station platforms and train compartments
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 22) :

Question:

Many members of the public have complained to me that it is rather hot and even stifling on station platforms and in the train compartments of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) in winter. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it knows whether heating systems are activated in winter to raise the air temperature on station platforms and in train compartments of the two railway corporations, and how the temperature is adjusted to a suitable level in response to the passenger volume so as to avoid causing discomfort to the passengers;

(b) whether it knows the respective average air temperatures on MTR station platforms in summer and winter; whether the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) monitors such temperatures; if not, of the reasons for that; and

(c) as the authorities indicated in March 2003 that the two railway corporations were working with EPD on formulating a Practice Note for managing air quality in air-conditioned public transport facilities, whether the Practice Note includes a suitable level of air temperature; if so, of the latest progress in this respect; if not, the reasons for that?


Reply:

Madam President,

In winter, the preset temperature for enclosed station platforms of all railway lines of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) is 26 degrees Celsius, while that for train compartments is 22 to 23 degrees Celsius. For the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), the preset temperature in winter for enclosed station platforms is 27 degrees Celsius, while that for train compartments is 26 degrees Celsius.

Automatic sensors are installed in the air-conditioning system of the two Corporations to monitor the temperature in station platforms and inside train compartments, such that the actual temperature will not deviate from the preset temperature. In case the temperature in station platforms/inside train compartments is too high and exceeds the preset temperature, the air-conditioning system will activate its cooling function. In addition, fresh air is drawn into the station platforms and train compartments through the ventilation system to ensure airflow.

According to the Operating Agreement signed between the Government and MTRCL, the Corporation is required to monitor the environmental conditions (including temperature) throughout the enclosed areas of the railway and provide adequate ventilation facilities. In fact, to maintain the respective average temperature of station platforms and train compartments at 27 and 26 degrees Celsius or below is MTRCL's preset temperature in both summer and winter. This is also one of the items stipulated in the Corporation's pledge for service. According to MTRCL's figures, the Corporation's performance in 2004 as regards average temperature maintained in station platforms and train compartments was 99.3% and 99.9%respectively.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) commissioned the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2000 to study the air quality in air-conditioned public transport facilities. The study found that the air quality inside air-conditioned public transport facilities in Hong Kong does not pose any alarm of health risk to the users. Based on the findings of the study and after consultation with the two railway companies and professional bodies, EPD issued in November 2003 a set of professional practice notes for managing air quality in air-conditioned railway facilities. The practice notes set out a carbon dioxide standard and provide guidelines on the design, operation and maintenance of the air-conditioned railway facilities, with an objective to encourage railway companies to achieve and maintain a comfortable air quality for passengers. It also recommends a comfortable temperature range for passengers so that railway companies could adjust the temperature range according to the preference of their passengers. Since there is no alarm of health risk to users due to air quality inside air-conditioned public transport facilities in Hong Kong, the practice notes are not monitored by EPD but implemented through the relevant professionals of the two railway Corporations on a self-regulatory basis.

[hkskyline]

地鐵故障困千五客
02/03/2006

【本報訊】地鐵將軍澳線昨午五時的繁忙時間發生信號故障，來往北角至油塘的列車延至每六分鐘一班，油塘至寶琳更需十五分鐘一班，估計多達一千五百名乘客受影響。列車服務在四十分鐘後回復正常。故障期間將軍澳線月台有大批乘客滯留，他們對地鐵無及早通知表示不滿，地鐵向受影響乘客致歉，受影響乘客在今日起的四日內可於車站的客務中心退款。 http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

[sfgadv02]

Good thing TKO line doesnt have a lot of passengers like the other lines.

[hkskyline]

地鐵斥億元改善人流 下月動工
太子站建隧道通始創中心
25/02/2006
http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060225/img/sn06022505_big.jpg

【本報訊】為改善九龍區多個商業區地鐵站繁忙時間水洩不通的苦況，地鐵公司正研究延長或增建旺角、太子、尖沙咀及銅鑼灣等車站的出口，以便將車站出口變成通往區內最具發展潛力地區的必經之路，其中太子站下月起會率先動工，重建最多人使用的聯合廣場出口，斥資約一億元闢建一條地底隧道連接始創中心地庫提高出入口效率，工程預計需時兩年。

地鐵公司鐵路發展及策劃經理梁民發指出，太子站每日平均有十三萬人次出入閘，周六人次更達十五萬，當中六至七成集中在聯合廣場出口，因該出口通往區內最旺區域，令該處特別擠迫，其他商業區例如旺角、尖沙咀及銅鑼灣等車站亦面對同樣情況，故太子站的擴建模式，將可提供樣辦予其他車站參考。

梁民發續稱，地鐵下月起會自太子站興建隧道直接駁入始創中心地庫，工程期間聯合廣場出口要封閉六至八個月，原有出口方向會改向太子道，始創中心亦會在地庫增設出口，駁入橫跨彌敦道的弼街行人隧道。當工程完成後，區內便可增加一條全新的行人通道，減輕路面交通擠迫。

新發展區擬駁通荔枝角站
地鐵並計畫於今年底，在荔枝角長荔街地底興建一條隧道，駁通荔枝角站及海旁新發展區，減低新發展區內居民經路面往來地鐵站而引致的交通壓力。梁民發認為，地鐵車站出口若能駁通商業區的主要大廈或商場，肯定可改善路面人車爭路情況，以旺角為例，地鐵就希望可興建隧道拉近舊區與海旁新發展區的距離。

[hkskyline]

HK MTRC 2005 Net Profit Seen Up 21% On Ppty Revaluation
2 March 2006

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Hong Kong railway operator MTR Corp. (0066.HK) will likely report a 21% rise in 2005 net profit on gains from a revaluation of investment properties and strong growth in residential property sales.

The average estimate of 11 analysts polled by Thomson Financial put MTR's earnings at HK$5.46 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, up from HK$4.50 billion the previous year.

The blue-chip mass transit rail operator with interests in property development and investments is scheduled to report its earnings Tuesday.

Analysts expect the growth in MTR's net profit to be underpinned by a gain from revaluing investment properties as a result of new accounting standards, which require listed companies to include such gains into their income statement each time they announce earnings.

MTR, which is 77%-owned by the government, has in its portfolio a number of Hong Kong shopping malls along its urban rail network, as well as stakes in several office buildings, including Hong Kong's tallest building, the International Finance Center II.

In the first half, the company reported a revaluation gain of HK$1.02 billion in investment properties that benefited from the city's real estate boom.

The surplus contributed to a surge in first half net profit, which more than doubled to HK$2.61 billion from HK$1.17 billion. Revenue rose 10% on year to HK$4.39 billion.

"Stripping out the revaluation gain, we expect the company's core profit to grow at about 13% in 2005, due to strong residential property sales and improving rail revenue from higher passenger traffic," said Manfred Ho, an analyst at BOCI Research.

He said profits from sales of the luxury development "The Arch" should be booked in 2005 instead of 2006, as a result of an earlier completion date.

The Arch, co-owned with the city's biggest developer by market capitalization, Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016.HK), sold a flat in 2005 at HK$31,000 per square foot, the highest ever in the city's residential market.

Gains from some earlier property sales would also be incorporated in the 2005 income statement, Ho said, due to a revised regulation that require developers to book gains from property sales only after construction is completed.

"Higher patronage on MTR's rail network should also have helped boost its bottom line, given that costs remain fixed as fares rose slightly," said Jonas Kan, an analyst at Daiwa Securities Ltd.

MTR carried 857.9 million passengers on its urban lines last year, up 2.9% from 2004. The company's Airport Express line recorded a 6% rise in patronage.

However, analysts expect passenger growth in the company's core railway operations to remain sluggish going forward due to slowing population growth in Hong Kong.

For 2006, profits from MTR's property sales will likely be lower than the 2005 level.

"Property sales should already have been quite high in 2005, so we expect that to fall a bit this year," said BOCI's Ho.

But the focus will remain on the proposed merger between MTR and unlisted Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp. (KCR.YY), a government-owned intercity rail operator.

The rail tie-up, which has been in the works for several years, is expected to be finalized soon. The government said late last year that the two rail companies have entered the final stage of discussions on the merger.

"The merger, in any form, will boost the company's net asset value and profitability, which is positive for MTR's minority shareholders," said Ho. But he added it is still too early to make any forecasts on how the merger might help MTR's earnings.

[hkskyline]

Hong Kong'S MTR Corp 2005 net profit seen up 37 pct - Kim Eng
6 March 2006

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Kim Eng said it forecasts MTR Corp to report tomorrow a 2005 net profit of 6.15 bln hkd, up 37 pct from the previous year, primarily driven by increased profits from the property development business and higher earnings from railway and related operations.

"We estimate property development profits at 6.20 bln hkd, up 36 pct, arising from sales of the Arch at Kowloon Station, recognition of deferred income relating to Harbour Green at Olympic Station, Caribbean Coast, Coastal Skyline and a hotel project at Tung Chung Station," the brokerage said.

It added that the company's railway and related operations have also performed well.

"Patronage of MTR Lines and Airport Express Line increased 3 pct and 6 pct respectively. This, and modest increases in average fares per trip underpinned our estimated 5 pct growth in fare revenue," it said.

Kim Eng said station, commercial and other revenue should rise 17 pct year-on-year to 1.54 bln hkd, and rental income will have grown 20 pct to 1. 33 bln hkd.

"Overall, forecast earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) from railway and related operation rose 15 pct year-on-year, with EBITDA margin improving to 57 pct from 2004's 54 pct," it noted.

The brokerage said it has raised its target price on the stock to 19.85 hkd, representing 5 pct premium to its forward net asset value estimate, and is maintaining its 'buy' call.

[hkskyline]

MTR Corp. profit jumps on Hong Kong fares, property

HONG KONG, March 7 (Reuters) - Railway operator and developer MTR Corp. Ltd. posted 2005 earnings on Tuesday that beat expectations thanks to higher fare revenue and brisk apartment sales in a booming Hong Kong economy. Many analysts are keen on the company amid hopes of a fruitful end to drawn out talks on a merger with Hong Kong light railway firm KCR Corp., and proposed projects in mainland China. But after a steep climb this year, the stock is seen as expensive.

MTR Corp, which is 76.4 percent owned by the Hong Kong government but pays for new railway lines by building apartments above its stations, posted an underlying net profit of HK$6.14 billion for the year to Dec. 2005, up 36.7 percent from the previous year.

A survey of 10 analysts by Reuters Research made a consensus net profit forecast of HK$5.6 billion.

Analysts say average travelling distances increased in 2005, partly because of a new railway line to the Hong Kong Disneyland entertainment park.

MTR Corp. said patronage rose three percent in 2005 to 867 million passengers, and fare revenue increased 5.9 percent to 6.28 billion.

The company also benefitted from a craze for luxury apartments early in 2005, when its The Arch project, developed with Sun Hung Kai Properties , sold 900 units in weeks. Property development profit jumped 34.6 percent to 6.15 billion.

MTR also booked a gain of HK$2.31 billion for marking the company's property assets to market values, to comply with new accountancy rules, which were not in place in 2004.

That helped boost net profit to HK$8.45 billion, against a restated HK$6.54 billion in 2004.

MTR Corp. shares were trading at HK$17.10 each at Tuesday's market close. The stock fell 0.87 percent on the day, but is up 13.4 percent this year.

Credit Suisse analyst Gary Chan has an "outperform" rating on the stock, with a target price of HK$19. He cites bids for projects in China and Britain, and a potential merger with KCRC as possible profit growth drivers.

Macquarie Securities analyst Anderson Chow has a target price of HK$18.20, and says the most important pending project for the firm is a rail and property development job in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, which is waiting government approval. (US$=HK$7.8)

[hkth]

MTR News Release:
MTR Choi Hung Park-and-Ride Carpark to open with 50% discount for communters taking MTR (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-018-E.pdf)

[hkskyline]

I believe there is a park and ride trial going with KCR right now. I'm not quite supportive of encouraging driving to the train station. However, their target market is low density and not too well-served by transit so I guess every bit of convenience helps.

[hkth]

MTR News Release:
New Entrance at MTR Choi Hung Station Opens this Saturday (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-022-E.pdf)

[hkskyline]

地鐵開源推奇招 立體廣告車啟程
3月 11日 星期六 05:05 更新

http://hk.yimg.com/hk/providers/mingpao/20060310/11gz02.jpg

【明報專訊】地鐵又為增加廣告收入出「奇招」。由周日（12日）開始，一個長達12米的立體展覽箱，將由多部工程車拉動，穿梭各條行車線，在非繁忙時間充當流動廣告列車。地鐵強調，載客列車班次不會受影響，地鐵亦安排兩名列車司機駕駛工程車，而出現故障影響正常服務的機會甚微。

不過地鐵表明，由於鐵路營運部分目前仍處於虧損，即使流動展覽箱為地鐵帶來額外廣告收益，亦沒有減價空間。根據地鐵最新公布的業績，去年全年的廣告收入達5.1億元，較2004年上升9.2%。

指全球首創 非繁忙時段行駛

號稱全球首創的立體廣告列車，分別由3部工程車及一個安裝有立體展覽箱的車卡組成。地鐵市務及車站商務總經理楊美珍表示，該列車由周日起，一連3個星期在4條市區鐵路線，即港島線、荃灣線、觀塘線及將軍澳線行駛。

為免影響原有的載客班次，廣告列車會安排於早上11時至下午4時的非繁忙時段行駛。3部以電力驅動的工程車均可單獨行駛，每次行車則會由2名車長負責。

為確保安全，展覽箱會採用強化玻璃，車箱內的物件亦由纜索鞏固，及塗上防火油。楊美珍形容，有關列車已獲政府的鐵路視察組批准行駛，發生問題的機會更是「近乎零」。

周日起試行 最快5月登場

楊美珍又說，列車首次行駛時，展覽箱內會放置由本地藝術家王天仁利用卡板創作的鱷魚和水牛，日後會用作廣告用途。她透露，現時已有4至5名客戶表示有意採用立體展覽箱推銷產品，推廣費用暫訂為每星期數十萬元，估計會獲大型廣告客戶垂青。若試驗效果理想，首卡正式披上廣告的列車，最快5至6月登場。

[sfgadv02]

Does anyone know which station this is in?

[xeror]

Does anyone know which station this is in?
This is Choi Hung Station.

[hkskyline]

By HV7025 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/20/mtr1.jpg

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/20/mtr2.jpg

[hkskyline]

Hong Kong's MTR Corp Feb passengers 66.00 mln vs 72.90 mln
15 March 2006

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - MTR Corp Ltd said it carried 66.00 mln passengers in February, down from 72.90 mln in December.

On an average weekday basis, MTR Corp carried 2.45 mln in February, down from 2.58 in January, according to figures published on the company's website.

The February figure for the MTR's average weekday passenger traffic covers the Tsuen Wan, Island, Kwun Tong, Tung Chung and Tseung Kwan O lines, according to the data.

Total monthly patronage of the MTR and Airport Express lines for February rose 4.88 pct year-on-year, but no comparative figures were given.

As for month-on-month figures, the website said the Airport Express carried 676,000 passengers in February, down from 771,000 in January.

On an average daily basis, the Airport Express carried 24,100 people in February, against 24,900 in the preceding month.

[sfgadv02]

February isnt a busy month, not compared to Dec/Jan with all the holidays.

[hkskyline]

Decline in passengers falling on to tracks
Chester Yung and Wendy Leung
Hong Kong Standard
Thursday, 23 March, 2006

The number of passengers falling on to MTR railway lines, deliberately or accidentally, has dropped dramatically since 1997, Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao told the Legislative Council Wednesday.

On the other hand, similar incidents involving the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation have increased over the same period, she said.

Liao made the statements in a written reply to a question from legislator Audrey Eu regarding the number of passengers falling on to the railway tracks since 1997.

Liao said the number of incidents involving the KCRC line rose steadily from 18 in 1997 to 32 in 2005. On the other hand, the number of incidents at MTR stations and elsewhere decreased dramatically from 83 cases in 1997 to 16 cases in 2005.

Liao said the installation of platform screen doors, first introduced in 1998, might have contributed to the drop.

Noting that at least 15 percent of all incidents are caused by suicide attempts, Liao said the KCRC is working with the University of Hong Kong to develop a suicide prevention training program for frontline staff with a view to developing their skills in suicide prevention and intervention. The program is expected to commence in May.

Meanwhile, KCRC's new chief executive says his first task on the job is to meet staff unions to settle the troubles of the past two weeks.

James Blake, who was appointed within 24 hours of the resignation of his predecessor Samuel Lai, said his first day at work made him feel "almost like coming home," referring to his earlier seven years' of service at KCRC.

A chartered engineer, Blake served as the government's secretary of works from 1991 to 1995 before moving to KCRC in 1997.

To boost staff morale and return the company to stability, Blake promised to meet unions and listen to staff opinions tomorrow.

KCRC Workers' Union chairman Ko Pak-kwun hopes the meeting will help establish better communication channels with management. The union also hopes to discuss annual pay rises.

KCR Operating Staff Association chairman Rainbow Lam said members have worries and concerns about the company. "The trouble came out of misunderstanding. I will express staff concerns that I have received from their e-mails in these past days," Lam said.

[sfgadv02]

There is practically no way to fall down the tracks on underground station anyway as they are equipped with PSD.

[WANCH]

Very true. But there are some who race through the PSDs as they close. I see it happen.

[AG]

One typical PSD incident can be seen here in a video of a train departing Tung Chung:
http://media.putfile.com/Hong-Kong31/640

[blizzardtweaker]

i cant sceem to watch it, it redirects to this page http://www.putfile.com/dedicated-servers.php

[sfgadv02]

Very true. But there are some who race through the PSDs as they close. I see it happen.

One time this guy was rushing onto a train in North Point as the door was closing. He made it on time, but tripped over...

I dont get why people rush through a train. Trains come every 3 minute.

[sfgadv02]

One typical PSD incident can be seen here in a video of a train departing Tung Chung:
http://media.putfile.com/Hong-Kong31/640

I dont get it? There is nothing wrong with it....

[hkskyline]

地 鐵 西 港 島 線 設 「 西 營 盤 」 「 大 學 」 「 堅 尼 地 城 」 三 站 寄給朋友 列印新聞
2006-03-21 HKT 22:03

為 保 護 堅 尼 地 城 科 士 街 一 幅 古 老 樹 牆 ， 地 鐵 提 出 ， 修 訂 西 港 島 線 堅 尼 地 城 站 的 位 置 ， 建 議 遷 移 堅 尼 地 城 泳 池 ， 騰 空 用 地 興 建 堅 尼 地 城 站 。

地 鐵 表 示 ， 較 早 時 舉 辦 過 工 作 坊 ， 居 民 普 遍 支 持 建 議 。

西 港 島 線 設 有 三 個 車 站 ， 包 括 西 營 盤 站 、 大 學 站 及 堅 尼 地 城 站 。 地 鐵 大 致完 成 各 個 車 站 位 置 及 出 入 口 安 排 的 評 估 ， 其 中 西 營 盤 站 設 有 17 個 出 口 ， 大 學 站 及堅 尼 地 城 站 則 分 別 有 13 及 12 個 出 口 。

http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/expressnews/20060321/20060321_55_296409.html

[AG]

I dont get it? There is nothing wrong with it....

Look carefully in the background further along the platform as the announcement for the closure of the doors happens.

[sfgadv02]

You mean when the second person entered the train while the rest of the doors are already closing??

[ignoramus]

I cant view it either. It redirects to another page.

[samsonyuen]

^^Can you translate that? I got Subway, West, University, Stadium, Friend, and NT (not sure about the second word?;)

[hkskyline]

西港島線3車站位置再諮詢
3月 22日 星期三 05:05 更新

【明報專訊】地鐵西港島線車站出口的分佈，目前仍未有定案。地鐵明日會就3個車站，包括西營盤站、大學站及堅尼地城站的出口位置，徵詢區議會的意見，最快5月底有初步定案，屆時會再諮詢﹔倘政 府注資及刊憲的安排順利，工程最快明年展開。

政府去年6月要求地鐵就西港島線作進一步規劃及籌備。新線將設3個車站，共11個出口，其中西營盤站及大學站會設高速升降機，分別連接半山區的般含道及香港大學。

地鐵發言人表示，經過連串諮詢，綜合了地區人士對出口分佈的建議，明日會在中西區區議會上展開新一輪諮詢。

發言人說，諮詢完成後，地鐵會視乎情修訂出口位置，5月底再諮詢區議會，預料整個項目的初步設計，最快在6至7月「出爐」。地鐵估計，全長2.8公里的西港島線建造費用約60至70億元，地鐵已要求政府注資不多於一半，即約30至35億元。

[hkth]

^^Can you translate that? I got Subway, West, University, Stadium, Friend, and NT (not sure about the second word?;)

Actually, the THREE stations for the Island Line extension are Sai Ying Pun, University (of Hong Kong) and Kennedy Town. :|

[hkskyline]

By "S3M64~DP2157" from a Hong Kong transport forum :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/KS2043/laiking.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/KS2043/tih_01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/KS2043/nopeople_swh1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/KS2043/skw_05-02-26.jpg

[scorpion]

love those shots~~


:)

[hkskyline]

MTR cuddles up to Network Rail
Andrew Bolton in Hong Kong
6 April 2006
New Civil Engineer

HONG KONG subway operator MTR Corporation said last week it was developing ties with Network Rail's property and track maintenance arms, in an effort to improve its prospects of breaking into the British market.

It is especially keen to work with Network Rail in the south west, where MTR is bidding jointly with GNER for the new train operating franchise.

Later this month, Network Rail officials are due to travel to Hong Kong to discuss its property development strategy.

"We are talking to Network Rail about opportunities in a particular British franchise region, for example in property developments, " said MTR international business director Francis Lung.

Network Rail is looking at a series of developments on land and air rights it owns, and has invited expressions of interest in developments at Euston, Victoria and Guildford stations (NCE 13 October 2005).

MTR believes it can help Network Rail on property development because has acquired strong skills in this area over the last 30 years.

It has used revenue from air rights property developments above its stations to pay for new lines in Hong Kong.

Alongside this MTR also wants to explore ways of better co-ordinating Network Rail's track maintenance with train operations. It hopes to cut disruption to services caused by over-running engineering work.

It also believes it could work out better ways of identifying track defects early on, to reduce damage to train wheels.

In Hong Kong MTR operates trains and track and has developed strong working relationships between train and track divisions.

Station staff are trained to listen for wheel fl ats on trains and are encouraged to report them on a special hot line.

This allows maintenance teams to quickly identify trains likely to damage track.

[hkskyline]

租賃形式敲定 不炒東鐵員工
兩鐵合併減費不足一成
07/04/2006
http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060407/img/sn05040710_big.jpg

【本報訊】特區政府加快兩鐵合併商討，行政會議昨日召開特別會議審議，因多個問題沒解決暫未敲定。據了解，兩鐵合併後，初步車費減幅會低於一成；兩鐵將以租賃安排合併；至於九鐵前線約五千多名員工則獲承諾不裁員。環境運輸及工務局局長廖秀冬召開內部會議時，力言會「加把勁」，望月內解決合併問題，港府傾向參考過往興建新機場時的模式，先與地鐵簽訂原則性的「兩鐵合併諒解備忘錄」的形式，再諮詢立法會意見，避免立法會成為橡皮圖章、硬啃協議的質疑。

減費過低合併無意義
政府基本上已敲定採用出租九鐵營運權予地鐵方式進行兩鐵合併；將來管理集團的地鐵，已承諾合併後首兩年不會裁減前線人員，即九鐵五千八百多名員工中，只有約四百名高級管理人員未獲提供職業保障。至於合併後車費，地鐵預計減幅會遠低於立法會要求的一成，相信長途客及需要轉車的乘客可獲較高減幅。

據悉，政府出租九鐵營運權予地鐵作價是整項兩鐵談判的關鍵，如果作價太低會被立法會批評政府是否在賤賣資產，故此政府與地鐵在九鐵營運權租金及九鐵車站新上蓋發展權作價方面，花了極多時間進行討論。

不過，兩鐵合併車費減幅遠低於一成，引來不少批評，立法會交通事務委員會主席劉江華擔心採用地鐵租九鐵方式節省不多，不能達到議員希望合併後減價一成要求。他說，如果乘客獲益不多，合併便變得意義不大。

[hkskyline]

HK PRESS: Full HK Rail Merger May Be Put Off For 20 Years
6 April 2006

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--The proposed merger between Hong Kong's two rail operators will involve an asset-leasing arrangement, with a full merger of the two companies put off for 20 years, the South China Morning Post reported Friday.

Citing sources familiar with the situation, the paper said blue-chip MTR Corp. (0066.HK) would pay HK$6 billion, in addition to annual rent of HK$500 million for the assets of government-owned Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp. (KCR.YY), and take over the running of rail services. A decision by the government could come later this month.

The plan, which was discussed at a special Executive Council meeting Thursday, doesn't involve any transfer of asset ownership, as government officials fear a backlash if they were to sell the KCRC to the MTR immediately, the sources said, according to the report.

They said the government was concerned that disposing of KCRC's assets at their current value, which is depressed by losses on new lines, could attract criticism that it was selling the assets too cheaply.

The government hopes to record an additional gain of HK$4 billion from selling KCRC's property assets to the MTR or to other buyers.

The merger between KCRC and MTR, which is 77%-owned by the government, has been in the works for over two years. The government said late last year the two rail companies had entered the final stage of discussions on the merger, which would reduce inefficiencies that exist between the two operators.

MTR primarily runs subways in Hong Kong's densely populated urban center, while KCRC runs less-busy commuter rail lines and long-distance routes connecting Hong Kong with mainland Chinese cities.

Newspaper Web site: http://www.scmp.com

[hkskyline]

Unions seek secure future for rail staff after merger
8 April 2006
South China Morning Post

The KCRC and MTR Corp unions yesterday joined forces to urge the government to disclose fully its staffing plans in the proposed merger of the two railways.

They also sought direct participation in negotiations between the rail operators and the government.

The joint appeal was issued by the five staff unions of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation and the MTR Corporation, whose combined membership accounts for more than a third of the 12,000-strong workforce of the two rail companies.

The unions said they were worried by rumours that the government would guarantee only that there would be no changes to frontline staffing for two years after the merger. They claimed this was a softening of its promise that "frontline staff would not be affected".

"The government should quickly announce news of the merger and not let rumours fly around," said Federation of Trade Unions legislator Kwong Chi-kin, who acts as the alliance's legal consultant.

"In particular, it needs to clarify whether there has been any reversal in its stance over the protection of frontline workers," he said. "The notion that frontline staff would not be affected for [only] two years was something that we would oppose fiercely and we hope the government will pay attention to the opinions of the unions."

Alliance spokesman Ko Pak-kwan, chairman of KCR Workers' Union, said their demands were very simple: there had to be no layoffs whatsoever and the workers had to be treated fairly.

"All the time, the government has said that frontline staff will not be affected, but how to define frontline staff is something it has not explained," he said.

The alliance was also concerned about the future of 1,600 KCRC contract employees, most of them working in train maintenance sections, as well as 600 permanent staff who joined the company on civil-service terms.

[elkram]

I'm surprised a city would still make underground stations so dark -- they could've brightened up those walls in the latest shots above.

Does the high ridership figure point to there being a need to have the MTR network pierce more HK neighbourhoods?

Cheers,
Chris

[hkskyline]

The older stations, especially some on the Island line, are darker, but still the lighting is reasonable. They're actually not bad, but taking pictures on those platforms is quite difficult. In fact, the platforms are slightly brighter than Montreal's Metro (I was on it last year). I notice the lighting has improved in stations that have been retrofitted with platform screen doors.

I don't think there is a need to build more lines to boost ridership. Hong Kong is a very centralized city. Building another line a block away is not going to do much, and oftentimes the built-up corridor is only a few blocks deep.

[ailiton]

All those stations have platform screendoors installed already so lighting has already improved.

[cal_t]

All stations except the elevated ones or Sunny bay with PSGs

[bs_lover_boy]

I'm surprised a city would still make underground stations so dark -- they could've brightened up those walls in the latest shots above.

Does the high ridership figure point to there being a need to have the MTR network pierce more HK neighbourhoods?

Cheers,
Chris


I know that from the pictures it looks a bit dark, but once you're inside the platform yourself, you'll find that it's not that dark and the feeling that the platform gives you is very cool!!!

[dchengg]

When i was in hk, taking the escalator in the hk stations.. why do they beep once in a while?

[simhks]

When i was in hk, taking the escalator in the hk stations.. why do they beep once in a while?

I believe its made for blind people.

[sfgadv02]

Yes they are....