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

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

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

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

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。

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)

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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. :|

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).

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.

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

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

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。

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.

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.

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)

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)

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.

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)

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。

Does anyone know which station this is in?

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

By HV7025 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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....

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

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.

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

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

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

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。

^^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. :|

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

love those shots~~


:)

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.

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。

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

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.

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

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.

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

All stations except the elevated ones or Sunny bay with PSGs

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!!!

Since operations began in 1979, the MTR Railway has become one of the most important elements of Hong Kong's transportation network.

With a railway network of 87.7 kilometres route with 50 stations, the MTR carries over 2.3 million passengers a day - one of the most intensively utilized systems in the world.

To meet escalating passenger demands, the Corporation expanded its train fleet from 140 cars in 1979 to 1,050 cars in 2002 (including 88 cars for the Airport Express), 86% of which are in service to meet the daily morning peak demand.

Significant progress has been made with the construction of new lines and associated property developments. The Tseung Kwan O Extension is the newest line to be completed and commenced service in August 2002. Earlier in July 2002, the MTR was awarded both the Penny's Bay Rail Link and the Tung Chung Cable Car projects. Consultation is now in progress on the proposed South Island Line and West Island Line as a railway alternative to the transport needs of the west and south sides of Hong Kong Island.

http://img36.exs.cx/img36/8696/map01.jpg

http://img36.exs.cx/img36/5606/marking01.jpg

http://img36.exs.cx/img36/4685/gate01.jpg

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Tseung Kwan O Extension Project
Tseung Kwan O Extension (TKE) is the 6th operational line of the MTR Corporation, which serves Tseung Kwan O new town and Yau Tong. The TKE project features 33 major contracts, 13 for the civil works and 20 for the electrical and mechanical works. All construction works have been completed. The line was opened to the public on 18 August 2002 including five stations, namely Yau Tong, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Hang Hau and Po Lam as well as the depot in Area 86 together with the improved Quarry Bay and North Point Stations. A further station will be added to the Line at Tseung Kwan O South. Trains operate at the same speed and frequency as the other MTR urban lines (80 km/hr and ultimately 105 seconds headways)

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/images/tke_map_tkos.gif

http://img36.exs.cx/img36/9480/np01.jpg

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HK MTRC Shrs Surge As KCRC Merger Talks Proceed
10 April 2006
By Jeffrey Ng and Jon Ogden
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Hong Kong urban rail operator MTR Corp.'s (0066.HK) shares surged to an all-time intraday high Monday after the company said it is at an "advanced stage" of merger talks with government-owned Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp. (KCR.YY)

MTRC declined to comment on recent press reports about details of the proposed linkup, but investors pushed its shares as high as HK$19.50 in early dealings on speculation the terms will be favorable for the blue-chip operator of Hong Kong's subway trains.

MTRC finished Hong Kong's morning session at HK$19.40, up 2.7% on the day following gains of 8% last week.

As is often the case in Hong Kong, real estate could play a role in the market's assessment of the deal.

Analyst Kevin Yim of Sun Hung Kai Financial Services said speculators are betting MTRC will attain KCRC's real estate in outlying areas of Hong Kong at an attractive price, giving it a "significant" gain in net asset value.

MTRC issued a public notice Monday about the "advanced stage" of the merger talks, but it declined to comment on local newspaper reports from last week that the proposed merger will first involve an asset-leasing arrangement.

Newspapers reported a full merger of the two companies will be put off for 20 years because of political pressure regarding the sale of government assets.

MTRC said Monday it will make further disclosures regarding the merger "at the appropriate time," but reiterated it can give "no assurance that the discussions will result in an agreement in relation to a rail merger."

The South China Morning Post reported Friday MTRC would pay the government HK$6 billion, in addition to annual rent of HK$500 million for KCRC assets, and take over the running of rail services. It said a decision by the government on the merger could come later this month.

Yim said the sharp run-up in MTRC's price suggests investors aren't convinced MTRC would have to pay HK$6 billion up front.

A merger between KCRC and MTRC, which is 77%-owned by the government, has been in the works for more than two years.

Analysts say that since the deal will require approval from MTRC minority shareholders, it will have to accommodate their interests.

Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao said last month a recent management dispute at KCRC prompted authorities to accelerate the merger talks to eliminate uncertainties for KCRC employees.

Liao said the proposal to merge the railway operators is expected to be put to legislators for discussion by May,

The management dispute arose after KCRC's acting Chief Executive Samuel Lai wrote to the board in March complaining about Chairman Michael Tien's leadership style. The dispute ended with Lai's resignation.

MTRC 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.

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

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.

Yes they are....

HK rail firms unveil $1.5 bln merger
By Alison Leung

HONG KONG, April 11 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's two railway operators, MTR Corp. and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp., on Tuesday unveiled a $1.5 billion pact to merge their rail and property businesses after years of politically charged wrangling.

The government had approved a proposal to merge the operations of MTRC and KCRC -- both of which are government controlled -- over the course of a year, hoping to trim operating costs and make them more efficient.

But that came after months of intense market speculation that had coloured the stop-and-go merger plan, broached years ago but hampered by fears of job losses, criticism over the inadequacy of savings, and other issues.

MTRC is now set to win monopoly rail-operator rights in the city for a one-off payment of HK$12.04 billion ($1.55 billion) -- comprising a lower-than-expected HK$4.25 billion to lease KCRC's rail system and HK$7.79 billion to buy its property investment, development and management business.

MTRC, whose silver trains are synonymous with downtown Hong Kong, will also pay a higher-than-expected HK$750 million in annual rent to use KCRC's network in the northern part of the territory for half a century.

Government officials said that if annual network leasing fees, profit-sharing and other matters were factored in, the overall cost of the deal would range between HK$30 billion and HK$56.5 billion -- less than the HK$60 billion it had ploughed into KCRC over the years.

Under the deal, the government would start sharing with MTRC profits from the operation of KCRC's former rail operations from the fourth year after the merger, taking between 10 and 35 percent, based on revenues.

Transport Secretary Sarah Liao outlined imminent reductions of 5-10 percent in ticket prices, a move expected to hurt revenue in the short term.

Liao added that fares would be linked to inflation in future, abolishing the companies' right to fix fares.

Some analysts expressed doubt over the touted benefits of the deal, which include cost savings.

"Typically, mergers remove competition and hence provide pricing power. No cigar however, as the government wants fare concessions," investment bank CLSA wrote in a report on Monday, adding a 10 percent fare cut implied lost revenue of up to HK$1 billion.

"There is still some potential political risk," Tai Fook Securities sales director Andrew To said, adding politicians might try to protect shareholders' and employees' interests.

SELL ON GOOD NEWS?

MTRC executives said the firm would not sell shares but instead issue debt, while striving to keep its gearing ratio below 60 percent versus about 40 percent at the end of 2005.

The government said the merger, which would "affect" up to 700 jobs, would take at least a year to complete.

Shares of MTRC eased 1.5 percent to HK$19.60 in the first half-hour of trade on Tuesday before being suspended. But the stock posted a record high of HK$20 on Monday and had risen 28.5 percent so far this year on hopes of the merger, outperforming the Hang Seng Index's <.HSI> gain of 10 percent.

MTR's 2014 bonds <XS0184198157=DBAB> had held steady at 75/71 basis points over U.S. Treasuries.

"The news is positive to MTR but I will recommend selling the stock on good news as the current price level is high," To said.

The merger proposal needs to be approved by Hong Kong lawmakers and MTRC shareholders.

MTRC operates the city's sole subway network, while KCRC manages a network linking the city with areas in the New Territories, north of central Hong Kong. (Additional reporting by Daisy Ku)

HK Govt To Lease KCRC Assets to MTRC In Merger
11 April 2006
By Jeffrey Ng and Jon Ogden
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Hong Kong's government unveiled plans Tuesday for merging the city's two railway networks, in a deal that became so politicized it took two years to reach and is expected to take another year to finish.

The tie-up involves blue-chip MTR Corp. (0066.HK) leasing the assets of government-owned Kowloon Canton Railway Corp. (KCR.YY) for a period of 50 years, and is renewable when that contract expires, the government said.

MTRC, which is 77%-owned by the government, will pay HK$4.25 billion upfront and HK$750 million annually to lease KCRC's rail services, in addition to variable annual payments based on the revenues from KCRC's rail operations.

The government will also sell property development rights along KCRC's network to MTRC for HK$7.79 billion. MTRC said the deal will be funded internally, as well as from bank borrowings.

"The merger will reduce duplication and enhance efficiency of Hong Kong's rail network," Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao told reporters Tuesday. "We believe this is a fair and a balanced deal which balances the interests of all stakeholders."

Liao said the deal will take at least another year to complete pending both legislative and minority shareholder approval.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters earlier Tuesday that the deal will "bring tremendous benefits to the community."

MTRC primarily operates the subway network in Hong Kong's densely populated urban center, while KCRC runs commuter rail lines and long-distance routes connecting Hong Kong with cities in southern China.

The merger had been in the works for over two years amid intense political pressures against the sale of government assets below what lawmakers consider an appropriate price. In the end, the administration opted for an asset-leasing agreement instead of an all-out sale of KCRC's assets.

"The leasing agreement (instead of an asset sale) makes the deal more acceptable politically" and increases the chance that it will be approved by the legislature, said Manfred Ho, an analyst at BOCI Research.

MTRC Chairman Raymond Ch'ien said the merged rail network could realize savings of about HK$400 million to HK$500 million a year, thus allowing fares to be cut by as much as 10% on some routes.

Merger Of Rail Network To Be Earnings Accretive For MTRC

Analysts said the merger should boost MTRC's profitability going forward. "It will enhance return on assets, particularly if MTRC can streamline the efficiency of KCRC's operations," said Louis Wong, research director of Phillip Securities.

MTRC shareholders will be relieved the company isn't having to shoulder the cost of acquiring KCRC's railway assets, added Wong.

Credit Suisse analyst Gary Chan said in a note after the government approved the merger that the deal is a "favorable value proposition to MTRC."

On the surface, the terms of the deal don't look attractive. KCRC reported a net profit of HK$429 million in 2004, its last reported earnings, much lower than the HK$750 million a year MTRC will be paying to lease the railway assets. But the earnings were depressed by heavy depreciation costs on KCRC's newly completed railway networks, said analysts.

They said MTRC will be able to extract a much higher return in terms of the operating cash-flow on KCRC's railway assets, while leaving KCRC to bear the depreciation burden of its new rail networks. Currently, KCRC has HK$19.7 billion in outstanding debt.

In 2004, KCRC's operating profit before depreciation totaled HK$2.17 billion, down from HK$2.30 billion the previous year. The company said it will release 2005 figures later this month.

MTRC's shareholders will probably be in favor of the property development aspect of the deal, analysts said.

The company has the rights to develop eight property projects along KCRC's various rail lines and could mimic MTRC's successful business model of reaping sizable profits from residential complexes along its existing network.

But MTRC's share price may not move much higher from the record closing high of HK$19.90 Monday when it resumes trading as early as Wednesday, said Phillip Securities' Wong.

"The stock price has already moved ahead of the merger that has already been rumored for so long."

MTRC now looks fully priced at 20 times this year's expected earnings against the Hong Kong stock market's valuation of 14 times forward earnings.

Shares of blue-chip MTRC were suspended from trading mid-session Tuesday morning ahead of the merger announcement. They last traded down 1.5% at HK$19.60.

Fare cuts aimed at easing fears over tie-up of giants
Jonathan Cheng
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20060412/fares.jpg

The government and transport operators Tuesday cut rail fare prices in a bid to ease public fears about the merger between Hong Kong's two giant railway corporations.

One of the centerpieces of Tuesday's announcement of the merger between Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation and the MTR Corporation was a plan that the government says will slash the cost of the city's 2.8 million daily passenger trips.

Lawmakers from all three major parties voiced general support for the fare cuts, but one academic said the merger meant the merged railway entity will be free to set its own prices in future.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong called for 15 percent fare cuts on longer rides, and proposed that monthly KCR passes apply to the MTR as well.

A source in the Transport Bureau said the DAB wanted a 10 percent across-the-board fare cut. But such a cut was not feasible, the source said.

The Liberal Party called for an extension of the KCR monthly pass system into Lo Wu, a plan that would help cross-border commuters.

The Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood called for 10 percent across-the-board reductions.

But one academic warned that the fare cuts and preservation of frontline jobs were meant to distract the public from the merger's most important implication: that the government could no longer control future transit fares.

"Even though fares will be reduced and will not be raised again in the next two years, it is only meant to get the public's approval for the merger," said Hung Wing-tat, assistant professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Hung warned that the merged railway would become an "enormous" publicly listed company concerned primarily with shareholders' interests.

Transport chief Sarah Liao Sau-tung said: "We have heard the voice of the public," adding that 10 percent fare reductions on long-haul trips will help Hong Kong's neediest.

Fares for long-distance trips of HK$12 or more will be cut by 10 percent, and medium-distance trips between HK$8.50 and HK$11.90 will be cut 5 percent.

A blanket reduction of 20 HK cents will apply to all adult Octopus card users, while second boarding charges for passengers interchanging between the two rail systems will be cancelled once the merger goes through.

But these savings will not apply to the two most expensive public transit rides - those on the Airport Express and those at the Shenzhen border crossing at Lo Wu.

A government source said the merged railway will not cut fares further, should the merger save more costs than expected.

In the long run, fares will be adjusted according to a formula that factors in fluctuations in the consumer price index, the wage index and a productivity factor.

The new fare-setting system, which the government says will increase and decrease prices in an "objective, transparent and predictable" manner, will be used once a year to readjust fares according to market conditions.

The fare adjustments will only kick in if they are substantial - that is, there will be no fare adjustment in a particular year if a change is less than 1.5 percent.

Liao said that both corporations had pledged not to increase fares for the next 24 months. The faster the merger occurred, she added, the faster fares would be reduced.

A Clip about the merge
(source from:KCRC)
One Hong Kong, One Integrated Railway (http://www.kcrc.com:8080/2m_eng_KCR%20Internet.wmv)

network map after merging
(source: article from MTR web)
http://xbe.xanga.com/027a0a574613747959559/w32266743.gif

From news.gov.hk:
Transport experts back rail merger (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/060413/html/060413en06004.htm)

Soon there might be an addition to that rail map with the Shatin-Central link.

So are the KCR Lines going to receive MTR signage and ER/WR/MOS lines to be renamed more like MTR line names? ie. Lowu Line, Ma On Shan Line, Tuen Mun Line?

I personally don't think so, I think it's just transfer of asset ownership.

I personally don't think so, I think it's just transfer of asset ownership.

no the asset will be retained by kcr but the whole railway management will be transferred to mtr.... meaning everything will be integrated together...

if you watch the video, they mentioned that 1) the gates will be removed at all interchange stations 2) route-map will be combined and 3) one ticket will be able to get you through all systems (non-octopus travellers)

the company will also be renamed and kcr will only be 'holding' the assets but will not function for anything else.

its sad that the KCR will be "gone" after such a long history

too bad they couldn't have just integrated the fare payment systems instead

more railway companies means a greater variety of rolling stock, just look at Tokyo...

its sad that the KCR will be "gone" after such a long history

too bad they couldn't have just integrated the fare payment systems instead

more railway companies means a greater variety of rolling stock, just look at Tokyo...

yeah surely KCR will be gone... but the thing is... hong kong is such a small place and in fact all parts of hong kong can be classified as 'metro' area so there isn't much point for having 2 railway systems running within the city.

the proposed new extension - shatin-central link is a good example how the original 'competition' between the two companies resulted in redundancy in network... the whole proposal will now be reconsidered after the merger.

I kind of like MTR being separated, but oh well...

I wonder if they are going to use the already dug tunnel below Diamond Hill Station.

TAC briefed on way forward for merger of MTR & KCR systems
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Government Press Release

The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed by the Administration at its special meeting today (April 13) on the proposed way forward for the merger of MTR and KCR systems.

“The TAC has discussed and offered its views on the Administration’s proposed way forward for the merger of MTR and KCR systems. Members noted that the proposed merger package has met the five parameters set by the Government for the rail merger”, TAC Chairman Ms Cheng Yeuk-wah said.

“The TAC supports the proposal for a rail merger as it will enhance the efficiency of the rail network and bring immediate benefits to the travelling public.”

The TAC has discussed the proposed Fare Adjustment Mechanism (FAM) and the fare reduction package.

“We welcome the proposed introduction of a FAM which will allow fares to go up or down in future according to a formula that is linked to the consumer price index, a wage index and, a productivity factor. Railway fares will be reduced on Day One of the rail merger and the FAM will apply on the basis of the reduced fares. The future fare adjustment process will be more objective, transparent and the adjustment more predictable. This is a major improvement to the existing arrangement whereby the railway corporations have fare autonomy.”

“Members welcome the proposal to reduce fares that will benefit 2.8 million daily passenger trips. Since transport expenditure for long-distance travellers are generally higher, members supported the proposal to provide far greater reduction to this categories of passengers to relieve their financial burden.”

“Members believe this reflects the public aspiration that more assistance should be offered to long distance travellers to encourage cross-district travelling to work”, Ms Cheng added.

“We are pleased to note that passengers on journeys with fares at $12 or above will get at least 10% reduction in their fares. Naturally, the more fare reduction, the more receptive the public would be to the merger package. We have suggested the Administration to continue to listen carefully to and take into account public views in moving forward.”

The TAC noted that the job security for all frontline staff of the two corporations would not be affected as it related to the merger. This would help ensuring the stability and safe operation of the railway systems.

“The TAC noted that the two railway corporations would conduct further studies on the human resource integration and would consult their staff on matters affecting the staff. Members suggested that staff matters should be handled carefully to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the railway service at all times.”

The TAC noted that the post-merger corporation would continue to be subject to the existing regulatory regime and would be required to maintain performance standards not lower than to-day.

“After the rail merger, the Hong Kong Railway Inspectorate will retain the statutory powers to inspect the railway and investigate into railway incidents and accidents. The service and safety of railways and railway operation will be ensured,” Ms Cheng said.

The TAC was also briefed on the structure and financial terms for the proposed rail merger.

“We hope the merger package will be a fair and reasonable deal that could balance the interests of all stakeholders. If implemented, the rail merger will create a very strong Hong Kong-made railway operator who will be more competitive and in a better position than before to expand into the Mainland and overseas markets,” Ms Cheng added.

Critics warn of fare rises for travelers
Jonathan Cheng
17 April 2006
Hong Kong Standard

Tying subway fares to inflation indicators may leave travelers vulnerable to unchecked fare increases in coming years, critics of last week's merger between the city's two mass transit operators said.

Speaking on RTHK's City Forum program at Victoria Park, Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong, the spokesman of the Coalition to Monitor Public Transport and Utilities, expressed fears Sunday the merged railway company could increase fares more drastically than citizens could bear.

Under the terms of the merger between the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp and the MTR Corp, fares will not go up for the next two years, but after that, they will be determined by a formula that factors in inflation indicators such as the consumer price index.

"We're afraid that after two years, the fares are just going to keep on going up and up,'' said Tsoi, who called the two-year freeze on fare increases "a taste of sweetness before the bitterness sets in.''

He added: "We find it very strange the government doesn't consider following the bus company's lead, which just uses these inflation factors as a starting point.

"[The bus] fares will ultimately be determined by other factors, like how much the public can bear, and how much money the corporation is making.'' But government officials speaking at the forum called the current proposed mechanism reasonable, saying it will offer Hong Kong residents transparency and security.

"This is a system that everyone can rely on,'' said Patrick Ho Chong-kee, deputy secretary for transport of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau. The deal will also give the MTRC operating rights of the KCRC system for 50 years, as well as development rights over eight lucrative KCRC-controlled properties.

Tsoi bashed both of these terms as gifts in a deal heavily slanted in favor of the MTRC.

Tsoi and City University of Hong Kong professor Li Kui-wai called the 50-year operating period "far too long'' and out of line with terms governing Kowloon Motor Bus and Hong Kong's two power companies.

Li also attacked the government for trying to bury the property development details within the terms of the deal.

But Ho rejected those charges, saying the deal is reasonable and fairly constructed.

"If this deal only benefited one of the two parties, there's no possibility that it would go through the Legislative Council or the minority shareholders,'' he said.

Ho also rebuffed Tsoi's suggestion that the operating rights should last no longer than 20 years, saying railway investment was much higher, and the return on investment much longer, than those in the bus-operating business.

Ko Pak-kwun, a union leader for rail workers, said he was concerned the new company will change terms of employment after the merger is complete, affecting the livelihood of workers.

MTR signals crackdown on offenders
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hong Kong Standard

Sweet talk and kind words did not work, so the Mass Transit Railway has decided to hit commuters where it hurts - in the pocket.

Starting Thursday, its "customer care team" are authorized to stop and prosecute commuters who eat or drink on trains or stations, rush into cars when doors are closing or who obstruct passageways with oversized luggage.

MTR's public relations manager, Helen Cheung Yuen-ling, said Sunday the company had tried the more caring, educational and friendly approach to encourage commuters to observe the rules by setting up a customer care team in mid-January.

The team found 8,000 cases of passengers misbehaving, 70 percent of whom ate or drank on trains or in paid areas of stations. Giving them warnings or reminders failed to have any effect.

The company has now told the team to become more aggressive in catching and prosecuting anyone who violates the rules. Under MTR by-laws, anyone caught eating or drinking on trains is liable to be prosecuted with a maximum penalty of a HK$2,000 fine.

Shenzhen rail dream revealed
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Hong Kong Standard

MTR Corp chairman Raymond Chi'en Kuo-fung said Tuesday commuters could be shuttling between Shenzhen north and Hong Kong south soon.

Speaking in Shenzhen before the launch of the Shenzhen and Hong Kong Investment Alliance, Chi'en also said that many mainland city governments are now discussing with the MTRC ways in which they could co-operate.

He said the competitive power of the MTRC would become more significant once the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp merger became a reality.

Since the move will incorporate KCRC's status as a regional rail network into the MTR Corp, it's possible that within 10 years of the merger there may be a direct rail service between Shenzhen and Hong Kong Island.

"We have a 10-year vision. We hope to provide passengers with a direct train service from northern Shenzhen to southern Hong Kong Island. It will be part of MTR Corp's one-stop services of the future," Chi'en said.

MTR Corp last May announced an investment of six billion yuan (HK$5.8 billion) in the construction of phase 2 of Shenzhen Metro Route 4.

When the 16.5-kilometer extension starts operating between Longhua new town and the Huanggang borderpoint in 2009, passengers will be able to take a direct train to Hong Kong.

Hi everyone,
I have been reading through this one entire thread for a long time and I can't believe there are so many other ppl who admire HK's transit systems! I've actually learned a lot from the messages, and have also made me miss it, having gone last year to HK. Thanks for all the info!
One thing though, somewhere earlier in the original thread, someone said that they "cleaned [the stations] up after the SARS outbreak". Does that mean b4 the stations were dreary and don't have newer items like the tiles and coherent signs?

Hong Kong MTR's stations have always looked the same. Recent renovations and the installation of automated platform barriers are not related to the SARS crisis.

The signage has always been uniform and was upgraded to newer, larger signs at some point in the past 15 years.

Oh thanks for clarifying!

One of the most common sounds at any MTR station, the sound of Octopus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axDut7mAndM&search=hong%20kong

I have always been impressed with the interchange system used on the Hong Kong MTR.

It is so easy to simply cross the platform to change trains...remarkably convenient for the passengers, especially elderly and less abled.

I am also impressed by the route maps, with the lights and the information they provide.

I was in HK last week and boarded the Tung Chung line. The trains of the Tung Chung line are a different design (ADTranz), with different route map design as well.

I believe that the Tung Chung line trains are the same company as the airport express line trains. Am I correct?

Now that bombardier has taken over ADTranz, Bombardier can now offer a design that is competitive with the Siemens and Alstom designs.

Gangways between cars...are an extremely valuable feature for safety, security, and convenience of use.

Cheers, m

It's quite easy to have the cross platform interchanges at stations set up because there isn't a single route that crosses over any other route underground on the MTR network (except when running parallel between some places such as Mongkok and Prince Edward, and Yau Tong and Tiu Keng Leng). It's pretty convenient and minimises congestion of passengers within the interchange stations as seen in other cities.

Sometime ago in this thread, someone said that MTR might be installing Platform Screen Gates (PSGs) on at grade or above ground stations. Are they still considering that? I believe that is pointless since if Platform Screen Doors (PSD) are installed instead, the indoor environment would be more comfortable and safety would be enhanced. When I went back to HK last summer, the stations at Heng Fa Chuen and Chai Wan were extremely humid and hot. I think the only reason they would not install PSDs was if the station was not equipped with A/C.
One more thing: How many MTR stations are above ground? Before I saw pictures of some trains pulling up to doorless platforms, I always praised MTR since I thought practically all of their stations were underground, which would allow for greater flexibility in constrution and also more space for urban development.

Half-height gates are not approved yet, still being "considered." So far I have not heard of any official plan to implement them throughout the network. Exposed stations such as Kwai Hing, Kwai Fong, Chai Wan, Heng Fa Chuen, etc. are always going to be humid and hot as long as it is humid and hot outside. Sealing them to make "indoor" environments would be prohibitively expensive. One thing about gates is that they cannot provide 100% suicide prevention.

The underground PSD installation is almost complete. New ceiling trim is still missing from some stations.

KCR has also been considering gates at its East Rail stations. I think putting them on MOS rail would be good, too, but I think KCR will want to wait until demand rises and put the optimal number of doors.

True, but why didnt they just install them when they were building the station?

Half-height gates are not approved yet, still being "considered." So far I have not heard of any official plan to implement them throughout the network. I have seen half height gates on the Tung Chung Line, as well as on the new Disney line....no chance to see the KwunTong line tho.

This was at the beginning of May 06.

Cheers, m

My mistake, I meant retrofitting such gates onto the rest of the network. Yes, the only two stations that have them are Sunny Bay and Disneyland. They came equipped with them.

My mistake, I meant retrofitting such gates onto the rest of the network. Yes, the only two stations that have them are Sunny Bay and Disneyland. They came equipped with them.My view is that they are helpful alternatives to the full PSD...

A major advantage of the PSG is that they can reduce suicides by preventing people from standing close to the platform and/or behind the station wall...

Perhaps a full-height glass wall at the station wall entrance, plus the PSGs, would be an effective prevention measure...when a full PSD is not possible.

The Disney and Sunny Bay Stations also have a white-gloved, red shirted platform attendant who helpfully shoos you away from the PSG and back behind the yellow line.........

I suppose thats better than being cautioned by the fully armed security guard in the Bangkok Metro :p

Cheers, m

A new movie has been released, it's called "The Sound of MTR":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEs4yB63U5I&search=MTR

:D

MTR Press Releases:
MTR Sunny Bay Station Wins HKIA Annual Merit Award (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-035a-E.pdf)

MTR's Sustainability Report named one of the Best by ACCA (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-036-E.pdf)

A new movie has been released, it's called "The Sound of MTR":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEs4yB63U5I&search=MTR

:D


that song was made by a Hong Kong radio station DJ and it really follows every single station

The screen doors were made maybe because to prevent people falling into the tracks. and plus.. what would the screen doors do to prevent from sars..

The screen doors were made maybe because to prevent people falling into the tracks. and plus.. what would the screen doors do to prevent from sars..

SARS is gone in HK but god willing it won't happen again.

As for the PSDs, were there cases of people falling off the platform the past years before the PSDs were installed?

The screen doors were made maybe because to prevent people falling into the tracks. and plus.. what would the screen doors do to prevent from sars..

No, the PSDs were installed mainly to prevent the cooler air from escaping the platforms.

I have uploaded three more videos from my Hong Kong trip:

Train Arriving at Central (on platform):
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2846017958994994576

Train Departing from Central (on train):
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7248273917293343217

Train Departing Wan Chai (on train):
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8935385950400884678

I have one more video to upload at Admiralty.

MTR News Release:
New Station Entrance at MTR Kwai Fong Station Opens today (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-039-E.pdf)

Are there different operators of the MTR (like the Underground in London)?

Sarah Liao attacked over deal on rail fares
23 May 2006
South China Morning Post

The transport minister is under attack for the fare revision system she has brokered from the two rail companies after they merge.

At a joint Legislative Council transport and financial affairs panel meeting lawmakers expressed fears the newly merged MTR Corp and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation would move quickly on a fare rise after a two-year freeze, introduced last month, ended.

"The period is totally misleading. By the time the companies actually merge, it may already be 11/2 years or more, which means the new company can apply for a fare rise right away," said Lee Cheuk-yan of the Confederation of Trade Unions.

Democratic Party chairman Lee Wing-tat suggested the government should cap the rate of fare increases at a fixed level.

But Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao Sau-tung said this was not necessary.

"Adoption of the fare-adjustment formula on future railway fares is already a price cap. It is a step forward from the current situation, when the two railway companies have the rights to set their own fares without the need to seek our approval," she said.

Future fare adjustments will be calculated on a formula taking into account the market situation and the public's ability to pay.

Dr Liao said fares were unlikely to go up soon after fare cuts were made on some routes on the first day of the merger, as it took time for economists to calculate the figures. She also vowed to maintain stability of market share between different modes of transport.

She ruled out a proposal to include rail company property income in the formula, saying this could create large fare fluctuations. Dr Liao also said no concessions would be provided to Light Rail passengers, as one third of them already enjoyed free travel on transferring to West Rail, and the services were losing money.

New MTR trains to reduce waiting time
23 May 2006
South China Morning Post

Passengers on the MTR's Tung Chung line will save up to two minutes of waiting time during morning rush hours from the second half of this year, as the corporation introduces four new trains between the middle of next month and early next year.

The first new train will come into service by the middle of next month, reducing waiting times by 30 seconds to 7.5 minutes between 8am and 10am. This will increase the frequency of trains from 15 to 16 an hour.

Ultimately, the MTR Corp aims to raise the frequency to 20 trains an hour during the two morning rush hours before the end of this year.

This will ultimately cut waiting times to just six minutes.

However, the average waiting time outside rush hour will be maintained at the current eight to 10 minutes.

Tony Yeung Sau-on, acting head of operations for the MTR Corp, said the new trains were bought because the company foresaw a potential increase in passengers to and from Lantau Island.

"Adding on new trains allows us to inspect and repair our existing ones, but at the same time maintain the frequency," he said. Kwai Tsing district councillor Andy Lai Siu-tong said he was pleased to see a more frequent rail link between Tsing Yi, Tung Chung and the rest of Hong Kong.

"[Reducing] the waiting duration from eight to six minutes can save residents 25 per cent of their time on the platform," he said.

"I see it as a positive response to the people's demand for more frequent transport, in particular during busy hours."

He suggested that a review should be carried out to find how long passengers will spend waiting for trains after the new service is introduced.

The new trains, made in Korea, had the same look and colours as the ones currently in service, which were manufactured in Spain.

However, they feature designs to improve air circulation.

Mr Yeung said the handles for passengers to make emergency calls had also been made more accessible.

"We have had some comments that the existing handles were 'hidden' among the crowd when the train was full," he said.

"Now the handle is put beside the flashing system map and passengers should be able to find it quite easily."

Rail merger can save MTRC $450m
23 May 2006
Hong Kong Standard

Hong Kong's publicly listed rail operator can save about HK$450 million per year after it merges with the Kowloon- Canton Railway Corp, MTR Corp chief executive Chow Chung-kong has told legislators.

At a joint meeting of the Legislative Council's transport and financial services panels Monday, lawmakers expressed their concerns about fare rises after the merger.

Under the terms of the merger, fares will not rise for the following two years, but after that they will be determined by a formula including inflation indicators such as the consumer price index.

Civic Party legislator Ronny Tong Ka-wah asked if the cost-effectiveness benefits of the merger would translate into fare cuts. Chow replied the merger will lead to reduced operating costs through economies of scale and trimming the overlapping of frontline stuff.

"We can save about HK$450 million a year but this will only happen after three to four years. And the room for fare cuts is about HK$600 million,'' Chow said, adding the fare reduction will take place on the first day of merger.

Fares of HK$12 or more will be cut by 10 percent and those between HK$8.50 and HK$11.90 by 5 percent. But Unionist Lee Cheuk-yan called the cuts "very trivial'' compared with the huge economic gain of the merger.

Are there different operators of the MTR (like the Underground in London)?
If you mean the MTR is run by different private companies, then no. However, the rail network overall is run by 2 major companies :MTR (city) and KCR (suburbs incl. New Territories). Hope I answered your question. :)

If you mean the MTR is run by different private companies, then no. However, the rail network overall is run by 2 major companies :MTR (city) and KCR (suburbs incl. New Territories). Hope I answered your question. :)
KCR operates trains to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing as well, right?

On April 11, 2006, the Hong Kong Government officially announced the details of the proposed merger. Now, the merger will be decided by minority shareholders of MTRC.

Just wait some more months, the Chinese name of the MTRC will be changed after being granted the Service Concession while the English name will remain unchanged. The KCRC will be a holding company of the KCR system, without actual railway operations. In other words, KCR will be a part of MTR empire.

KCR operates trains to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing as well, right?

KCRC has those services BUT ALMOST ALL the trains provided are from the Mainland China. Only the KTT Train is owned by KCRC. You may refer to the website of the KCRC for more details. :|

From news.gov.hk:
Railway merger package well-balanced (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/businessandfinance/060530/html/060530en03004.htm)

FSTB and You--Rail Merger (http://www.fstb.gov.hk/eng/sfst/fstb33.html)

IT is a controversial issue is Hong Kong.
But, if the fare is rising, it would affect the profit of MTR Coperation.
And also the citizen can not afford such kind of high transport's fare.

RTHK News:
Govt thinking of expediting construction of MTR South Island line 2006-06-03 HKT 17:30

The Secretary for Transport, Sarah Liao, says the government's studying whether to expedite the construction of the MTR South Island Line. An environmental impact assessment concerning the redevelopment of Ocean Park points out that any revamp will increase traffic in Southern district and the Aberdeen tunnel. Dr Liao says a public consultation is underway. And the government will consider public opinion before reaching a final decision.

RTHK news:
MTR Chairman confident of shareholder support for merger 2006-06-08 HKT 16:26

http://www.rthk.org.hk/APSuppics/mfile_56_315841_1.jpg

Chairman of the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Raymond Chien. (Photo by RTHK's Chan Ching-wah)

Chairman of the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Raymond Chien (http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/video/ram/mfile_315841_2.ram)

The Chairman of the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Raymond Chien, says most minority shareholders of the listed company are inclined towards approving a planned merger with the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation. Speaking to the media following the corporation's annual general meeting, Mr Chien called the merger package - fair and balanced. However, he acknowledged that it was impossible to say whether shareholders would approve the deal.

Dream City role for Nan Fung
Raymond Wang
10 June 2006
Hong Kong Standard

Cheung Kong (Holdings), controlled by Li Ka-shing, has brought in private firm Nan Fung Development to develop the HK$15 billion Dream City Phase 2 housing project atop MTR Corp's planned Tseung Kwan O South station.

Cheung Kong, which won development rights to the project in a tender in January, said Friday Nan Fung would take a 15 percent stake in the joint venture for a nominal US$1 (HK$7.80).

Nan Fung, run by billionaire Chen Din-hwa, has agreed to invest HK$678 million. It is also expected to share the project cost in proportion to its stake.

Cheung Kong paid a land use conversion premium of HK$8.06 billion so it can build flats above the future Tseung Kwan O South subway station. Together with construction costs and interest, the MTRC said earlier that the project will cost about HK$15 billion.

``Cheung Kong and Nan Fung have worked together on other projects and the board considers that the previous experience of working together successfully made Nan Fung a suitable partner for undertaking the Tseung Kwan O project,'' Cheung Kong company secretary Eirene Yeung said.

Cheung Kong, the SAR's second- largest developer by market value, and Nan Fung are jointly developing a luxury residential project in Ho Man Tin for more than HK$12 billion. The site was purchased by Cheung Kong at a government land auction in 2004. Nan Fung has a 10 percent stake while the remainder is held by Cheung Kong. Nan Fung's move to share the risk and take a stake in the two projects reflects its optimism about the outlook for the market, industry observers said.

In 2002, the two groups formed a consortium that secured a residential and retail development package at Tiu Keng Leng Station.

Dream City Phase 2 will feature a total of 4,272 flats. The project is slated for completion in three to four years.

Last year, Cheung Kong won the rights to the estimated HK$5 billion Dream City Phase 1 project, which will comprise 2,096 flats in five towers. It is scheduled for sale by 2008-2009.

Cheung Kong shares rose 0.24 percent Friday to close at HK$82.30.

MTR Press Release:
Find Direction in "DISorientation" "art in mtr ¡V arttube" Showcases the Work of Freeman Lau (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-041-E.pdf)

"Rock" History at MTR Tai Koo Station (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-042-E.pdf)

Platform screen doors at Wan Chai:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=g0tfGpnGfgE

Rail merger sidelines mini punters
15 June 2006
South China Morning Post

After a noisy annual general meeting at the MTR Corporation last week, a tantalising question emerged: what if its minority shareholders reject the proposed merger with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation?

In fact, this anticipated merger of Hong Kong's two rail companies reflects a history of poor policymaking at the highest level.

The story begins with the 1999 budget, when then financial secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced that the government would privatise the MTR Corp. When the subway company was being floated on the market the following year, its prospectus said: "[The MTR Corp] has autonomy to determine its own fares without any requirement to obtain the approval of government or any other body."

That provision was the key to its listing success. Why would anyone have bought MTR Corp shares if the company did not have absolute autonomy in setting fares based on commercial realities?

But the government has also been promising lower transport fares. Transport Minister Sarah Liao Sau-tung has been talking about that since 2002. She is a member of the board of the MTR Corp and of the wholly government-owned KCRC.

Two key aspects of the merger proposal should appeal to investors and anyone interested in public policy. First, the MTR Corp would have to pay the KCRC an ever-increasing percentage of the revenue it derives from the use of the latter's assets, which it will lease for 50 years.

Second, the MTR Corp's autonomy in setting fares would effectively vanish, except for the Airport Express, cross-border links to the mainland and the Lantau Island cable car. Future fare increases would be capped at the rate of inflation minus a productivity factor. The rate of inflation would be calculated as the average of the annual change in the consumer price index and the nominal wage index for transport workers. The productivity factor would start at 0.1 per cent per year, and would be reviewed every five years.

What does all this mean? The proposed formula allows for no real (that is, inflation-adjusted) increase in fares; gives an ever-higher proportion of revenue to the KCRC; and saddles the MTR Corp with future capital costs.

This is what David Webb, the astute minority-rights activist, said of the merger proposal: "The MTRC has pitched this to investors as [a scheme where] 'downside protection [is] provided by a variable annual payment structure', when in fact this is an 'upside-removed, downside-on-inflation' deal."

This is a blatantly poor deal for the MTR Corp's minority shareholders. It seems the government's aim is to make sure that the KCRC has the best possible deal, and to use the occasion to deliver on Dr Liao's promise to reduce transport fares.

In a paper to the Legislative Council, the government says: "KCRC [will] retain ownership of the assets, capture the upside of KCR railway's performance under a revenue-sharing mechanism, and get back a fully operational railway system at the end, or upon early termination of the service concession."

To get legislators to approve the merger, the government sweetened the package with a two-year fare freeze and some tariff cuts, including a $2 Sunday fare for the elderly.

The last stakeholder the government has time for is the investing public.

Perhaps cynically, the administration does not think it needs to pay attention to them because legislators and citizens' groups are focused on lowering fares.

But what if the deal is rejected by minority shareholders? Would officials simply accuse them of greed?

As Mr Webb has suggested, why not just take the company private again, and stop the pretence that the merged entity is going to be a commercial enterprise?

MTR Press Release:
Dive into an Underwater Adventure at MTR Yau Ma Tei Station (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-043-E.pdf)

By "KV7798" from a Hong Kong transport forum :

http://ccdphoto.com/data/20/53/77zrfJurUB84GSTolE6WpSbieaFG1VAs.jpg

http://ccdphoto.com/data/20/16/an4R0H2sC6GVjdbmyboUGAfJkvr5IXsN.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/39/106344618_e32d59598d_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/38/118854865_e24341143f_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/56/146033323_c23a71c763_b.jpg

MTR Press Release:
MTR to Raise the Bar on Customer Service (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-046-E.pdf)

Rail merger sidelines mini punters
15 June 2006
South China Morning Post

After a noisy annual general meeting at the MTR Corporation last week, a tantalising question emerged: what if its minority shareholders reject the proposed merger with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation?

In fact, this anticipated merger of Hong Kong's two rail companies reflects a history of poor policymaking at the highest level.

The story begins with the 1999 budget, when then financial secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced that the government would privatise the MTR Corp. When the subway company was being floated on the market the following year, its prospectus said: "[The MTR Corp] has autonomy to determine its own fares without any requirement to obtain the approval of government or any other body."

That provision was the key to its listing success. Why would anyone have bought MTR Corp shares if the company did not have absolute autonomy in setting fares based on commercial realities?

But the government has also been promising lower transport fares. Transport Minister Sarah Liao Sau-tung has been talking about that since 2002. She is a member of the board of the MTR Corp and of the wholly government-owned KCRC.

Two key aspects of the merger proposal should appeal to investors and anyone interested in public policy. First, the MTR Corp would have to pay the KCRC an ever-increasing percentage of the revenue it derives from the use of the latter's assets, which it will lease for 50 years.

Second, the MTR Corp's autonomy in setting fares would effectively vanish, except for the Airport Express, cross-border links to the mainland and the Lantau Island cable car. Future fare increases would be capped at the rate of inflation minus a productivity factor. The rate of inflation would be calculated as the average of the annual change in the consumer price index and the nominal wage index for transport workers. The productivity factor would start at 0.1 per cent per year, and would be reviewed every five years.

What does all this mean? The proposed formula allows for no real (that is, inflation-adjusted) increase in fares; gives an ever-higher proportion of revenue to the KCRC; and saddles the MTR Corp with future capital costs.

This is what David Webb, the astute minority-rights activist, said of the merger proposal: "The MTRC has pitched this to investors as [a scheme where] 'downside protection [is] provided by a variable annual payment structure', when in fact this is an 'upside-removed, downside-on-inflation' deal."

This is a blatantly poor deal for the MTR Corp's minority shareholders. It seems the government's aim is to make sure that the KCRC has the best possible deal, and to use the occasion to deliver on Dr Liao's promise to reduce transport fares.

In a paper to the Legislative Council, the government says: "KCRC [will] retain ownership of the assets, capture the upside of KCR railway's performance under a revenue-sharing mechanism, and get back a fully operational railway system at the end, or upon early termination of the service concession."

To get legislators to approve the merger, the government sweetened the package with a two-year fare freeze and some tariff cuts, including a $2 Sunday fare for the elderly.

The last stakeholder the government has time for is the investing public.

Perhaps cynically, the administration does not think it needs to pay attention to them because legislators and citizens' groups are focused on lowering fares.

But what if the deal is rejected by minority shareholders? Would officials simply accuse them of greed?

As Mr Webb has suggested, why not just take the company private again, and stop the pretence that the merged entity is going to be a commercial enterprise?

Just wondering, is MTR still proposing for the extension for the Kwun Tong line towards Ho Man Tin and Whampoa?

National Express bids for S Western rail franchise

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) - British transport firm National Express Group Plc said it planned on Friday to submit a joint bid for the South Western rail franchise with Hong Kong railway operator MTR Corp. Ltd.

The group pre-qualified for the competition earlier this year.

http://skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/TCL_A-TRAIN_K-TRAIN_vYOJweLqkAdC.jpg
http://skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/K-TRAIN_n33Wad4wVJFU.jpg
http://skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/K-TRAIN_01_qMoec8q2HiT1.jpg
http://skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/TCL_A-TRAIN_K-TRAIN_vYOJweLqkAdC.jpg

Just wondering, is MTR still proposing for the extension for the Kwun Tong line towards Ho Man Tin and Whampoa?
I don't think that's alive anymore now that KCR is planning a Shatin-Central line through Kai Tak.

Nice to see the new trains in operation, does anyone know what time of day it runs?

The trains posted by Kaitak? They're already in use throughout the system. The train on the lower right in the first photo runs on the Tung Chung line while the other model is the refurbished train running on the other lines.

No no. That's actually a brand new TCL-K-train which was put into service last month. It has a maximum speed of 135km/h, which is faster than the other K-trains running on the Kwun Tong Line.

Nice to see the new trains in operation, does anyone know what time of day it runs?

It comes out at different time of the day.

MTR video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK_z-s-qXog&search=mtr

The trains posted by Kaitak? They're already in use throughout the system. The train on the lower right in the first photo runs on the Tung Chung line while the other model is the refurbished train running on the other lines.

Those are the brand new K-Train which was designed to cope with the additional passenger influx of Tung Chung Line after the opening of Ogong Ping 360.

No no. That's actually a brand new TCL-K-train which was put into service last month. It has a maximum speed of 135km/h, which is faster than the other K-trains running on the Kwun Tong Line.

I read that these train will go 120km/h though, while the Kwun Tung one runs at a max of 80km/h. :scouserd:

The line's maximum speed is 130 km/h. So the new train will also go 130 km/h.

MTR Press Release:
Dr Raymond Ch'ien reappointed Chairman of MTR Corporation (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-051-E.pdf)

wish it could have been more impressive than this for Hong Kong

There aren't many places on the Tung Chung Line where a train can travel at 130km/h. Most of the stations between Tsing Yi and Hong Kong are still close enough together (but further apart than on other lines) to prevent travel at over 100km/h in these sections. The only place where it would be possible is between Sunny Bay and Tung Chung and maybe the stretch from Tsing Yi to Sunny Bay.

There aren't many places on the Tung Chung Line where a train can travel at 130km/h. Most of the stations between Tsing Yi and Hong Kong are still close enough together (but further apart than on other lines) to prevent travel at over 100km/h in these sections. The only place where it would be possible is between Sunny Bay and Tung Chung and maybe the stretch from Tsing Yi to Sunny Bay.

The trains do travel at max speed between Lai King and Nam Cheong.

Just wondering, is MTR still proposing for the extension for the Kwun Tong line towards Ho Man Tin and Whampoa?

Actually, yes would be the answer. This extension will have a new interchange station at Ho Man Tin with the SCL (Shatin Central Link). Then it will continue to Whampoa. But the final plans to the SCL and the KTL (Kwun Tong Line) Extension will not be finalized until the merger of the MTR and the KCR has been completed.

I love the pictures. I love how the HK subway system is so updated and modern. HK Makes Chicago's public transportation (who has the 2nd "best" system in the US) look like garbage. Do they plan on making a line to Stanley Market?

I love the pictures. I love how the HK subway system is so updated and modern. HK Makes Chicago's public transportation (who has the 2nd "best" system in the US) look like garbage. Do they plan on making a line to Stanley Market?

I dare to say that it's almost impossible for the MTR Coporation extending its service to Stanley within 20 years unless there will be some significant development projects. Stanley is quite isolated from the downtown area, so it won't be cost-effective to plan a new line to there for catering to the limited demand, it's not financially sustainable at all.

I dare to say that it's almost impossible for the MTR Coporation extending its service to Stanley within 20 years unless there will be some significant development projects. Stanley is quite isolated from the downtown area, so it won't be cost-effective to plan a new line to there for catering to the limited demand, it's not financially sustainable at all.
Stanley is a medium to low-density area, so I doubt it can sustain a heavy rail line. It is also technically difficult to engineer a route down there. There are too many hills along the way. The present main road is only 2 lanes wide skirting along the hillsides.

Stanley is a medium to low-density area, so I doubt it can sustain a heavy rail line. It is also technically difficult to engineer a route down there. There are too many hills along the way. The present main road is only 2 lanes wide skirting along the hillsides.

That's why I say it's almost impossible for MTR extending its services to Stanley or Repulse Bay unless there will be significant development. Moreover, technical problem is also a potential constraint which cannot easily be solved at low cost. So I don't see any posibility of constructing a new line for Stanley at this stage.

But if the MTR was to build any proposed rail lines (eg:to Ocean Park,South Island line), would it be an elevated rail or underground? My thinking is that elevated rail would be cheaper but be noisy and obstructive to future developments.

Look on the MTR projects page on their website and you'll find all the proposed ideas for the SIL.

Hong Kong's MTR Corp June passengers 69.81 mln vs 70.11 mln in May
17 July 2006
AFX Asia

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - MTR Corp Ltd said it carried 69.81 mln passengers in June, down from 70.11 mln in May.

On an average weekday basis, MTR Corp carried 2.445 mln passengers in June, down slightly from 2.449 mln in May, according to figures published on the company's website.

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

Total monthly patronage of MTR and Airport Express Lines for June dropped by 0.28 pct compared to the same period last year, but no comparative figures were given.

The Airport Express carried 722,000 passengers in June, unchanged from May.

On an average daily basis, the Airport Express carried 24,100 people in June, against 23,300 in the preceding month.

Just wondering, is MTR still proposing for the extension for the Kwun Tong line towards Ho Man Tin and Whampoa?


from wikipedia ...
some possible future maps of mtr ...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/28/MTR_System_Map_%28in_the_future%29.png/800px-MTR_System_Map_%28in_the_future%29.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/FutureMTRNetworkAfterMerger.png

If and when the two networks merge... how would they fit the map horizontally on existing M/K stock on their bulb next station displays....

If and when the two networks merge... how would they fit the map horizontally on existing M/K stock on their bulb next station displays....

Yea, I would hope that they don't get rid of that display, it is extremely useful.
My opinion is that they'll keep it separate since both are still separate networks in terms of car type, displays, configuration...but will have to show a paper map of the entire network on the interior sides of the cars.

I, too, would think they'll keep it separated. Just look at KCR East Rail trains. If I remember correctly, they don't have West Rail on their display. Can anyone confirm this?

I, too, would think they'll keep it separated. Just look at KCR East Rail trains. If I remember correctly, they don't have West Rail on their display. Can anyone confirm this?
East Rail maps don't have West Rail routes.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i224/dreamfok/-talkandwithPeter035.jpg

Photo by 藤原拓海 from a Hong Kong transport forum.

thanks, good, i did remember correctly!

Yea, I would hope that they don't get rid of that display, it is extremely useful.
My opinion is that they'll keep it separate since both are still separate networks in terms of car type, displays, configuration...but will have to show a paper map of the entire network on the interior sides of the cars.

Well let's hope they make the merger quick and snappy..there's too much beaurecracy going on at the moment...

MTR Press Release:
Cat City comes to MTR Tseung Kwan O Station (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-062-E.pdf)

Halting of MTR defended amid air chaos
6 August 2006
South China Morning Post

The MTR Corporation and the Airport Authority have defended the decision not to keep the Airport Express running overnight as thousands of passengers converged on Hong Kong early yesterday.

Passengers claimed the airport was in chaos after midnight following delays of at least two hours to clear customs and collect baggage, thus cutting out the option of catching the Airport Express into town.

The line closed promptly at 1am.

The claims came as Legislator Andrew Cheng Kar-foo and former civil aviation boss Peter Lok Kung-nam demanded the authority fully explain why passengers were still experiencing problems more than 24 hours after Typhoon Prapiroon.

Bill Morrison waited more than two hours for his girlfriend, who had landed from Sydney at 11pm, to clear customs and collect her bags. The authority had stained the city's good name, he said.

With no trains and the bus and taxi queues swollen, the couple took a bus to Discovery Bay and then a ferry to Central, not getting home until almost 3am.

"But we could only do this because of local knowledge," he said. "I have no idea what tourists who had just arrived in the city did."

Mr Morrison, who has lived in Hong Kong for 38 years, said: "Hong Kong is known for its planning, but there was no planning for this, it was complete disorganisation. Why could they have not just left the Airport Express open?"

The authority and MTR Corp said they were in close contact yesterday morning, and the situation did not merit keeping trains running. "By midnight, the passenger peak had passed, and there are plenty of other transport options for passengers coming into Hong Kong after 1am," an authority spokesman said of the decision not to ask the MTR to keep open the train link.

"No MTR operations run for 24 hours and our information showed the airport was coping well. Those arriving after 1am can catch taxis or the 24-hour buses."

The airport was placed in a "difficult" situation and wanted to apologise to all those affected by the delays, the spokesman said.

An MTR Corp spokesman said even closing at 1am left little time for important track maintenance.

The airport chaos was no match for Jackie Chan's millions. The action star chartered his own jet to Manila on Friday for the launch of a chain of coffee stores with his brand, "Jackie Chan's Java Coffee", paying up to HK$5,000 an hour.

Does the MTR really need to do track maintenance every night?!?! I do not understand why they could not extend the service for at least half hour;I wouldn't want to take the slower bus or taxi after midnight.
Is Jackie Chan earning or paying $5000 for the coffee chain. Will the stores be in HK as well?
-----
And I would appreciate if anyone could tell me who is the concessionary fare for? Children and seniors?

I dont understand why the airport express cant be opened for special situations like this one, its like, mtr is purposely doing it to give the airport autority a hard time~~ my friend left for hk just few days ago from vancouver, and i was praising to her about how fast it was in the airports... guess i dissapointed her~~

I don't think there were enough passengers to keep the trains running well into the early morning. It costs a lot to keep the train system going. I doubt the MTR would want to incur significant losses for that night. Then they'll be drilled by the people when the financials are issued.

When you have hundreds of trains pounding the same set of tracks every day, they'll need far more maintenance than your typical suburban rail line. The signalling system only allows trains to travel constantly in one direction on each track. It shouldn't be a problem from Tsing Yi to Kowloon since it parallels the Tung Chung Line, but at the Airport end there are only two tracks.

Remember that the overhead catenary line exists as well. For this to be maintained the power needs to be turned off. No power, no train service.

I dont understand why the airport express cant be opened for special situations like this one, its like, mtr is purposely doing it to give the airport autority a hard time~~ my friend left for hk just few days ago from vancouver, and i was praising to her about how fast it was in the airports... guess i dissapointed her~~
It's fast.......if you are a HK resident..

MTR Press Release:
MTR Hat trick at ZDNet Smart50 Awards (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-066-E.pdf)

from wikipedia ...
some possible future maps of mtr ...

The only thing I'm concerned about is the plan for South HK Island. Can they just have one loop like Cyberport -> South Horrizons -> Aberdeen -> Wong Chuk Hang :) Does it really need a Lei Tung stop?

That's why I say it's almost impossible for MTR extending its services to Stanley or Repulse Bay unless there will be significant development. Moreover, technical problem is also a potential constraint which cannot easily be solved at low cost. So I don't see any posibility of constructing a new line for Stanley at this stage.

I actually find it pointless to have service running through Repulse Bay and Stanley / Tai Tam. First of all. Most of the area's residents are either middle or upper class and most of them own cars. Also, I doubt that there will be much commuters in this area.

Another thing, tourists are better off taking the bus to Stanley and see HK's wonderful southside scenery than travelling to Stanley underground :)

The only thing I'm concerned about is the plan for South HK Island. Can they just have one loop like Cyberport -> South Horrizons -> Aberdeen -> Wong Chuk Hang :) Does it really need a Lei Tung stop?
Ap Lei Chau is a densely-populated residential island, and Lei Tung is one of those housing estates. It has a huge population (Guinness classifies it to be the world's densest island) and it makes sense to have a rail stop there.

I actually find it pointless to have service running through Repulse Bay and Stanley / Tai Tam. First of all. Most of the area's residents are either middle or upper class and most of them own cars. Also, I doubt that there will be much commuters in this area.

Another thing, tourists are better off taking the bus to Stanley and see HK's wonderful southside scenery than travelling to Stanley underground :)
There is not enough density to have a rail line there in the first place, then the next problem is to run a line through the hilly terrain. Express buses take only half hour to reach Central from there anyway.

MTR Press Release:
Announcement of Unaudited Results for six months ended 30 June 2006 (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-067-E.pdf)

Minus property, what else will help the MTR save some red faces?
14 August 2006
South China Morning Post

"Underlying profit at MTR Corp, the city's main mass transit operator, more than doubled in the first half on earnings from sales of flats above its stations."

SCMP, August 11

WE GOT THAT wrong on one count, boss. It's actually Kowloon Motor Bus that is the city's main mass transit operator. But I'm glad to say we got it right on what underlies the profits of the Modern Town Redevelopment Corp. It's property, property, property.

Stand at the edge of old Yau Ma Tei and look west or at the Central harbour front and look north. You will see a fortress-like agglomeration of towering and closely packed new buildings on the Yau Ma Tei reclamation site. It is far from finished yet. The biggest tower of all is going up only now. What we have here is a new definition of urban jungle.

What we also have is a new definition of saving face. When our government decided to sell some shares in MTR Corp in 2000 (they called it a privatisation but it wasn't), the figure tossed around in Lower Albert Road for the firm's value was about HK$100 billion. This, our bureaucrats reckoned, approximated the sunk cost of the MTR. So they decided it was also what the company was worth.

But investors don't operate on simplistic government reasoning. They look at returns on capital and the MTR's returns were poor chiefly due to having been ordered to take on an enormous money loser in the Airport Express. There was no way the market would value it at HK$100 billion as it stood.

How then were our bureaucrats to save face on their public projections that it was worth HK$100 billion? Simple. Stuff it full of the best land in our public land bank, pretend that the transfer was made at market value and then relax almost all the normal height and plot ratio restrictions on that land. Hey, presto, the grim concrete nightmare you now see on the Yau Ma Tei reclamation.

A good deal more than that site alone has gone into the MTR of course, mostly on the reasoning that buses do not pay for the roadways they use and therefore railways should also have their construction costs subsidised.

It is a fair argument, except that the MTR property subsidies went past that justification when it was listed on the market. At that point we went into subsidising a face-saving exercise and now we have to keep it up or the share price will collapse and face will still be lost.

The flip side of this is that we also have extraordinarily low fares. I can ride the MTR from end to end for a cost that would take me no more than two or three stations on the London Underground.

But there is now no chance of getting those fares up to a more appropriate level. Our legislators actually demand to see them drop further. It will be property, property, property from now until kingdom come. The MTR talks of getting itself off the hook eventually, as all addicts do, but don't be fooled. It can no longer happen.

For the proper perspective, look first at its announcement that it made a pre-tax profit of HK$6.15 billion in the six months to June. Now turn to the table to see how this breaks down if you strip out the property element, including what the company holds for rental.

Take note that the depreciation and interest charges apply to the railway operations alone. To the extent that there are any such charges on property, they have already been taken into account in the property profits the company books.

What we are left with in the railway element, including station kiosks and advertising displays, is only an HK$8 million pretax profit. It is actually up from what it was last year but if this were all that shareholders were given, the share price would fall faster than a dead cat dropped from the top of IFC 2.

Not only is it a miserable return but remember that even this was possible only because past property proceeds made the balance sheet so cash-rich that the company could afford to advance a HK$3.3 billion interest-free loan to Cheung Kong (Holdings) for development of a site in Tseung Kwan O.

And by the way, there was only the barest mention in the results announcement of the coming merger with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp, another pointless face-saving exercise on which our government insists and which will be very much to the detriment of the MTR.

We are assured, however, that an independent financial adviser will advise independent directors on an independent board committee on how to advise independent shareholders.

You will excuse me for thinking that independence in such matters exists in inverse proportion to the number of times it is pledged.

西港島線無上蓋發展
三站共14出入口 料2012通車
30/08/2006
太陽報

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060830/img/a80830_big.jpg

地下鐵路公司終拍板決定西港島線各站出入口位置，明日將建議公開及提交政府審議，整段伸延線將不會有上蓋發展項目。地鐵在諮詢過程接納了中西區區議會的建議，決定由堅尼地城泳池清拆改建的地鐵站，不會有上蓋發展，而地鐵會在工程進行前先興建全新泳池替代，方便居民使用。

消息人士指出，地鐵建議清拆部分政府建築物，較大改變是現時的堅尼地城泳池將要拆卸，改為堅尼地城站，但會在西環公園對出近海旁的西祥街臨時停車場位置，先興建一個泳池，日後泳池會是西區中央公園的一部分。雖然部分居民擔心日後建成地鐵站會加重該區的交通負荷，但地鐵堅稱泳池位置興建地鐵站是最佳選擇，而地鐵站不會有上蓋發展，以免阻礙景觀。

此外，位於西營盤站附近的戴麟趾康復中心亦會因興建地鐵站出入口而拆卸，日後將會原址興建一幢新的康復中心。至於屈地街公廁及正街熟食中心則會拆卸。

地鐵亦會徵用部分土地，包括位於西營盤西湖里遊樂場及鄰近的舊樓位置，改作工程臨時工地及物料存放場，而在堅尼地城的西寧街對開的休憩地方，於工程完成後會成為地鐵站的排氣口。

政府注資不逾半
若一切順利，地鐵西港島線最快在今年底前獲政府批准及刊憲，明年初完成環境評估報告後正式動工，工程費初步估計約六十至七十億元，全長三公里，預計二○一二年通車。政府初步建議注資不逾一半。西港島線是現有港島線的伸延，共有三個站，分別是西營盤站、大學站及堅尼地城站，共有十四個出入口。

雖然西區居民普遍歡迎地鐵增設西港島線，但一批堅尼地城西寧街居民昨日卻向地鐵公司遞交請願信，反對地鐵在西寧街設置施工地盤及興建港島西延線的永久排氣口。居民批評此舉是扼殺居民的休憩空間，並擔心排氣口會污染環境。中西區區議員楊位款批評地鐵並無正視居民訴求。

More trains on Tung Chung line
30 August 2006
South China Morning Post

The MTR Corporation will boost services on the Tung Chung line following demands from residents, despite the relatively low number of passengers using the route, a top company official said yesterday.

From Monday, trains on the line will run at alternate intervals of eight and four minutes during the morning rush hour, compared with every eight minutes at present.

Evening peak services will also be changed from every 10 minutes to every eight minutes.

MTR Corp's head of operations, Wilfred Lau Cheuk-man, said the improvement in the service had been made possible with the addition of four new trains to its fleet.

"Once in a while, we hear this request for more frequent services, but we have to consider cost-effectiveness," Mr Lau said.

The Tung Chung line serves an average of 180,000 passengers a day, but Mr Lau said even the most crowded trains during rush hour were only 40 per cent full.

"You may have doubts about this, but I tell you passengers tend to squeeze themselves into the middle train car as they're the nearest to the escalators, while cars on either end are quite empty."

Mr Lau hoped new property developments in Tung Chung would help boost the line's patronage.

Tung Chung residents have long complained about the infrequent train services on the route.

District councillors have met MTR officials several times to discuss the issue, and a petition was launched in June demanding an improved service.

Two of the four new trains are already in service, while the other two are still under inspection.

The four will take up the 36 extra runs per day as the number of daily journeys on the route is increased from 240 to 276.

MTR to catch more advertising dollars while you catch the train
28 August 2006
South China Morning Post

The MTR Corporation is expanding and updating its advertising billboards to stay competitive.

Advertising brought in almost HK$500 million last year for the corporation.

Central, the fourth-busiest MTR station, will be a focus of the facelift, which includes installing a ring of plasma television screens in the shape of a spaceship, and scrolling advertising boards.

Yeung Mei-chun, MTR Corp marketing and station business manager, said traditional advertising had reached saturation point. Companies now demanded bigger advertising displays and new ways to present their products.

"More and more customers are looking for feature advertisements. Everything's getting bigger. They want more space to present their products and they want it to be more fun," she said.

Cell phones, banking services and digital products have been the MTR Corp's biggest sources of advertising this year, while property and slimming advertisements have plunged by 70 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. Both have fallen off the top-10 list.

"Demand from digital products, including mobile phones, has been strong since last year and we want to provide them with more choices," Ms Yeung said.

The ring of plasma screens, first installed in Causeway Bay station, will now be introduced in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok stations. Another feature will be a screen that can swap three images by changing the lighting.

The MTR Corp is also working to squeeze new advertising space into stations.

New scrolling advertisements will replace fixed ones to boost capacity at the same spot threefold. Unoccupied niches will be turned into advertisement showcases fitted with LCD monitors.

But Ms Yeung said these new measures would boost revenue only marginally.

"The initiative can help us to maintain our market share, but revenue will rise only a few percentage points," she said.

MTR Press Release:
MTR Property Management wins another SOHO China management contract in Beijing (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-071-E.pdf)

MTRC plans switch over line funding
Winnie Chong
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, September 01, 2006

MTR Corp has abandoned plans for a property development atop its future Kennedy Town station but is asking government permission to develop the former police quarters site in Ka Wai Man Road to fund its West Island Line.

The three-kilometer extension of MTRC's Island Line from Sheung Wan will have three new stations - Sai Ying Pun, University and Kennedy Town - with a total of 14 exits.

The new extension will cost about HK$7 billion, to be financed equally by MTRC and the government.

MTRC passed its revised proposal to the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau Thursday, canceling its previous bid to develop property on top of Kennedy Town station. The site is said to be only a single block, which is too small. Central and Western District Council is also opposed to any development of the site.

Instead, MTRC has suggested the area around Kennedy Town station be developed into leisure facilities and a public transportation interchange. At the same time, it wants the government to approve the former police quarters site at Ka Wai Man Road in Kennedy Town for property development.

If the proposal goes ahead, this will be the first time the MTRC has financed operations through property development away from stations.

MTRC senior coordinating engineer Tang Pak-hung said the move was due to public opposition to development at the Kennedy Town site, and because Sai Ying Pun and University stations were not suitable for property development.

"For this project, the police site is suitable," Tang said, adding that the final decision will be made after discussions with the government.

Tang said MTRC will consider other suggestions by the government. "We will keep all options open and are flexible," he said.

MTRC also presented the amended proposal to Central and Western District Council, where it was accepted, council chairman Chan Tak-chor said.

But Charles Chan Chiu-kwok, managing director of Savills Valuation and Professional Services, had doubts about the revised MTRC proposal, saying it was unusual for it to ask for land away from its stations.

"MTRC is an independent listed company. MTRC's request for land will violate the principle of land sales in the city. It will be unfair to other developers. It also raises questions about collusion between government and business," said Chan, who added there was no base to calculate the price of the land.

James Cheung King-tat, senior associate director at Centaline Surveyors, estimated that the price for property development on the top of Kennedy Road station is similar to that of Ka Wai Man Road, at about HK$5,000 per square foot.

MTRC will invite tenders for the project at the end of the year, with construction due to start next year. Train services are scheduled to commence in 2012.

MTR Press Release:
Tung Chung Line Train Service Enhancement (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-076-E.pdf)

Tung Chung line will definitely get busier in the near future.

Tung Chung line will definitely get busier in the near future.

Indeed, especially with Disneyland now open.

^^ It was open since last year, but then they are planning to expand and then the Ngong Ping 360 will open by mid-September I reckon.

Indeed, especially with Disneyland now open.

When I was on the Tung Chung Line this summer, at least 75% of the people were going to Disneyland. I got on at Kowloon and it was no more than 10% full i would say. There were many empty seats and no one was standing. Then as we went to Lai King I saw a stampede of people from the Tsuen Wan Line from across. The train now was pretty full. There were no seats left and many people were standing. There were definitely a lot of kids on the train. It became so noisy. Then when I arrived at Sunny Bay, pretty much everyone who boarded at Lai King went across the platform for the Disneyland train. There were probably less people getting off at Tung Chung than the amount of people there were when I got on. I would say that it would get full from Lai King to Sunny Bay no matter at what hour.

MTR Press Release:
An Artistic Journey Begins at MTR Tsing Yi Station (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/Joint%20Press%20Release%204-9-2006-E.pdf)

Tung Chung line will definitely get busier in the near future.
Indeed, especially with Disneyland now open.
Right, but I thought Ocean Park's attendance exceeded Disneyland in recent months due to increased advertisements and newer attractions. I went on the Sunday before school started and it was swarming with people. However, OP still needs major improvements in management and crowd control.

Right, but I thought Ocean Park's attendance exceeded Disneyland in recent months due to increased advertisements and newer attractions. I went on the Sunday before school started and it was swarming with people. However, OP still needs major improvements in management and crowd control.

Those crowds are mainly from mainland China though, not crowds from HK. I believe OP is doing the renovation in 8 phases instead of 2 now.

Right, but I thought Ocean Park's attendance exceeded Disneyland in recent months due to increased advertisements and newer attractions. I went on the Sunday before school started and it was swarming with people. However, OP still needs major improvements in management and crowd control.

Yes but I was referring to the opening of the Ngong Ping 360 which conveniently links Tung Chung to Po Lin Monastry.

Something I didn't know about wrt MTR stations. Which stations does this apply to?

One of the best examples of rapid transit interchanges made quick and efficient for the passengers is the Hong Kong MTR system. Where two subway lines meet, often these lines run parallel for two continuous stations, unlike most North American interchange points. At the first station trains in opposing directions from each line meet at an adjacent platform, allowing passengers to simply walk across the centre platform to exchange to the other line. At the second station one line swaps levels, allowing transferring passengers traveling in the same direction to simply walk across the centre platform. No level or platform changes are needed for transferring in any direction.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4544/transfer1is3.png

The stations that serve as above are:

Mongkok: Interchange from the Tsuen Wan Line northbound to Kwun Tong Line northbound, and from the Kwun Tong Line southbound to Tsuen Wan Line southbound.

Prince Edward: Interchange from the Tsuen Wan Line southbound to Kwun Tong Line northbound, and from the Kwun Tong Line southbound to Tsuen Wan Line northbound.

Lai King: Interchange between both Tsuen Wan Line northbound and Tung Chung Line westbound, and between both Tsuen Wan Line southbound and Tung Chung Line southbound.

Admiralty: Interchange from Tsuen Wan Line westbound to Island Line eastbound, and from the Island Line westbound to the Tsuen Wan Line northbound.

North Point: Interchange from Island Line eastbound to Tseung Kwan O Line eastbound, and from the Tseung Kwan O Line westbound to Island Line westbound.

Quarry Bay: Interchange from Island Line westbound to Tseung Kwan O Line eastbound, and from the Tseung Kwan O Line westbound to Island Line eastbound. No cross platform interchange available here, only via long cross passages and escalators.

Yau Tong: Interchange from Kwun Tong Line eastbound to Tseung Kwan O Line westbound, and from Tseung Kwan O Line eastbound to Kwun Tong Line westbound.

Tiu Keng Leng: Interchange from Kwun Tong Line eastbound to Tseung Kwan O Line eastbound, and from Tseung Kwan O Line westbound to Kwun Tong Line westbound.

Sunny Bay: Interchange from Tung Chung Line westbound to Disneyland Resort Line southbound only.

A great example that should be adopted in all of the world's new stations.

you forgot Admiralty, and central is kinda one, but isn't cross platform

Something I didn't know about wrt MTR stations. Which stations does this apply to?

One of the best examples of rapid transit interchanges made quick and efficient for the passengers is the Hong Kong MTR system. Where two subway lines meet, often these lines run parallel for two continuous stations, unlike most North American interchange points. At the first station trains in opposing directions from each line meet at an adjacent platform, allowing passengers to simply walk across the centre platform to exchange to the other line. At the second station one line swaps levels, allowing transferring passengers traveling in the same direction to simply walk across the centre platform. No level or platform changes are needed for transferring in any direction.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4544/transfer1is3.png

I think it's Prince Edward (right) and Mongkok (left) stations.

^^ To be clearer, the Red line is Tsuen Wan line while the green one is Kwun Tong line. The right hand direction is North.

you forgot Admiralty, and central is kinda one, but isn't cross platform

Admiralty is listed above. Central has absolutely no cross platform interchanges. The Tsuen Wan Line platforms are located in a different section of the station from the Island Line platforms, and each of the Island Line platforms are on different levels, one stacked on top of the other.

Actually, you cant transfer from the Island Line to Tseung Kwan O line at Quarry Bay across platform. Instead you have to go down escalators, walk, escalators, walk some more, and then reach the platform. Probably not enough room.

Thanks for the info

Actually, you cant transfer from the Island Line to Tseung Kwan O line at Quarry Bay across platform. Instead you have to go down escalators, walk, escalators, walk some more, and then reach the platform. Probably not enough room.

I thought it didn't seem right, because both Island Line platforms are on the same level, as are the two Tseung Kwan O Line platforms. IIRC, the Tseung Kwan O Line platforms are on the lower level so that it can access the Eastern Harbour Crossing.

MTR Press Release:
MTR Brings You Closer to Local Chinese Festivals and Customs (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-079-E.pdf)

More MTR stations showcase young artists
21 September 2006
South China Morning Post

The work of young artists will be shown at a further 10 MTR stations as the rail network expands its array of community art galleries.

Work from children studying at schools near stations on the Island line will be displayed in the new galleries.

The first batch of artwork - by six Primary Three to Primary Six students from Victoria Shanghai Academy - will be showcased at Wan Chai station.

One of youngsters, nine-year-old Lee Lok-ching, painted a train against the backdrop of a castle.

"My work is about a train taking families to a theme park and they have a great time there. I am so happy to see my drawing displayed here, I will invite my parents and friends to come and see my work," she said.

Her schoolmate Roy Ng Wing-long, 8, was very excited at being chosen. "I am so glad that I am one of the six. I spent two hours to finish my work. I think MTR trains are really pretty and I tried to use as many colours as possible to make my train colourful," he said.

"I like drawing very much, though I am still not sure if I want to be a painter when I grow up."

Speaking at a launch ceremony yesterday, the school principal Yung Ying-cheuk said showing children's paintings in public areas helped boost their confidence and enhanced self-development.

"Many schools are very keen about the programme and they have to wait for months before their students can have their pictures displayed at train stations," he said.

The 10 new galleries are at Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Tin Hau, Fortress Hill, North Point, Quarry Bay, Tai Koo, Sai Wan Ho, Shau Kei Wan and Chai Wan stations, bringing the total number of rail galleries to 32. The first was set up at Lam Tin station in 2000.

MTR arsonist's appeal denied
21 September 2006
South China Morning Post

A court yesterday dismissed an appeal application by a 68-year-old man jailed for life for setting fire to an MTR train last year.

Yim Kam-chung, who defended himself in the dock yesterday, told three Court of Appeal judges the police had framed him by placing burnt tubes they found at the crime scene in his flat.

He argued the MTR ticket seized by officers showing that he had entered but not exited the railway was not his.

Yim said the suspect the police originally tried to hunt down was "fat, short, bald and in his 50s".

"I was not fat, not short, not bald, and I am 68," he said. "They have made a big mistake."

He also said the police were initially looking for somebody with a burnt leg. "My leg was not burnt, why was I not released?"

He argued that closed-circuit television images were not clear enough to prove that he left his building on January 5 last year and returned home a day after.

Yim, who ignited a bottle of solvent on a train just after it left Tsim Sha Tsui station for Admiralty, was given what is believed to be the harshest sentence ever handed down for arson in Hong Kong. It will be reviewed after 10 years.

He told the court during the trial that he wanted to "cause a tragedy" because the government confiscated six of his model motor vehicles. No one was injured in the incident.

He claimed yesterday that the 45 witnesses in the trial gave false evidence for cash.

"Even a three-year-old could catch a limping old man like me," he said. "If I was really at the scene, why did none of the 45 witnesses manage to catch me?"

Mr Justice Peter Cheung Chak-yau dismissed Yim's appeal against both the conviction and sentence after the half-hour hearing. He said he would give written reasons for the decision later.

As Yim was taken from the courtroom, he shouted: "I did not leave home. I did not start the fire."

Wow, but if he said he wanted to "cause a tragedy"- doesn't that prove he's guilty?

HK MTR disinfected ahead of flu season

HONG KONG, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A powerful new disinfectant is reported to be sprayed inside Hong Kong's MTR trains and stations ahead of this year's flu season.

From next week, Metro staff will begin spraying the nano silver-titanium dioxide coating on surfaces passengers often touch, such as grab poles inside the trains, escalator handrails and buttons on ticket machines, local media Saturday said.

The coating was introduced to last for three years and be able to kill a wide range of bacteria and viruses, but the effectiveness is to be under test.

The MTR Corp will also vaccinate its entire staff of 6,500 against flu and continue washing down trains and surfaces with a powerful bleach every night.

Something I didn't know about wrt MTR stations. Which stations does this apply to?

[i]One of the best examples of rapid transit interchanges made quick and efficient for the passengers is the Hong Kong MTR system. Where two subway lines meet, often these lines run parallel for two continuous stations, unlike most North American interchange points.
Unlike everywhere I think. Hong Kong is the only place where I saw that clever thing with two interchange stations in a row. Or is there any other city that has it?

Unlike everywhere I think. Hong Kong is the only place where I saw that clever thing with two interchange stations in a row. Or is there any other city that has it?

Singapore. There are 3 examples.

1. NS26 City Hall Station & NS27 Raffles Place Station on the Red North South Line are two consecutive interchange stations that allow for cross platform transfer to the Green East West Line in both directions.

2. EW24 Jurong East Station on the Green East West Line is an interchange station that allow for cross platform transfer to the Red North South Line in one direction (since it is a terminal station).

3. EW4 Tanah Merah Station on the Green East West Line are interchange stations that allow for cross platform transfer to the Changi Airport Shuttle Service in one direction (since it is a terminal station).

New York has something along those lines. Interchanging lines share two ends of a platform.

http://static.flickr.com/115/262132752_d92fc223eb_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/33/59396049_bec7c35467_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/32/59396134_16df161c66_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/54/134936235_01856b0420_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/50/137531060_276cbafe5d_o.jpg

New York has something along those lines. Interchanging lines share two ends of a platform.

That's true, but interchanges are only between lines that go in the same direction. To change to a train going in the opposite direction would require a change of levels and platforms, always. HK usually has 2 consecutive stations in which one line "crosses over" to the other line going in another direction, removing the necessity to change levels.

And in NYC, you don't want to change levels- there are very few escalators and in the summer it gets stifiling and humid. :)

That's true, but interchanges are only between lines that go in the same direction. To change to a train going in the opposite direction would require a change of levels and platforms, always. HK usually has 2 consecutive stations in which one line "crosses over" to the other line going in another direction, removing the necessity to change levels.

And in NYC, you don't want to change levels- there are very few escalators and in the summer it gets stifiling and humid. :)

34th st and 42nd st along the 1/2/3 platform....haha

Jordan Station during peak hour. Note the doors failing to close properly the first time on the first train, this commonly happens during busy times. Also note the relatively short amount of time between trains departing and arriving:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6NazE99hGA

I love watching that and other MTR clips over and over again. I miss HK already... :(

This isn't that bad. If there is any clip taken from Admiralty, Yau Tong, or other major transfer point, you can see people run across the platform to chase the trian; and you can see how fast the platform can get filled up again.

Bangkok Metro seeks HK's advice
31 October 2006
The Nation

Bangkok Metro Plc has contracted Hong Kong-based MTR Corp to study whether a Blue Line extension would affect the company's operations.

"We want to get ready in case the government decides to extend the Blue Line. If the government makes such a decision, we want to join in the bidding," said Sombat Kitjalaksana, managing director of BMCL which operates Thailand's first subway.

The subway is part of the Blue Line, running for 20 kilometres from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong. Under consideration is the extension of the line from Bang Sue to Tha Phra for another 13km. The investment for the extension is estimated at Bt22 billion. An extension from Hua Lamphong to Bang Khae for another 14km at an estimated Bt44 billion is also planned.

According to Sombat, MTR has been commissioned to study whether the railway's operations would suffer any technical problem if the Blue Line were extended and whether the extension would affect the number of passengers.

Last week the National Economic and Social Advisory Board recommended the government first build the Red Line, from Don Muang to Phyathai, as that could be connected with the Airport Rail Link.

A source from BMCL said the Blue Line should be the first priority due to the high economic value.

MTR Press Release:
MTR Extends Automatic Warnings To Reduce Escalator Accidents (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-092-E.pdf)

I don't think there is anything wrong with walking on escalators, just as long as you're holding onto the handrail.

Does anyone know if they have officially changed the "closing door sound" to 20+ times on all lines or just on the Island line?

Only the Island Line trains have them at the moment.

The odd thing about the "doors closing" beep is that it isn't well synchronised with the closing doors at all. Sometimes the doors have closed by the time beeping begins, or beeping ends, then the doors close seconds later.

They should had stick with the 9 beeps.

From news.gov.hk:
Merged rail fares to be reviewed annually (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/businessandfinance/061102/html/061102en03002.htm)

Only the Island Line trains have them at the moment.

The odd thing about the "doors closing" beep is that it isn't well synchronised with the closing doors at all. Sometimes the doors have closed by the time beeping begins, or beeping ends, then the doors close seconds later.

This is just an amateur's guess, but I believe that if the train is delayed, then the doors will close earlier. If the driver has a CCTV display, then they might play the doors closing message, then perhaps wait for a few more pax, and then close the doors at their discretion. In that case, they should play the beeps one more time.

Anyone has any information about HK's Central Station? How many people use it and is it the busiest station in MTR's network?

Central is the busiest and is used by somewhere between 200000 and 250000 people a day.

MTR on track with growth
7 November 2006
South China Morning Post

GROWING STRONGER AND faster with further expansion in local and overseas businesses sums up the key message MTR Corporation conveys to shareholders and other stakeholders in its award-winning annual report.

Carrying the theme of "Growing in Hong Kong, growing overseas", the railway operator's latest annual report won the Silver Award at the HKMA's 2006 Best Annual Reports Awards. This marks the 18th consecutive year since 1988 that MTR Corp's annual report has been recognised by the management association.

Finance director Lincoln Leong said the award was testimony to the collective achievement of MTR Corp and its employees in providing a quality report that includes comprehensive financial and operational details with a highly transparent approach.

"We have made a great deal of effort to maximise financial and management disclosures as well as enhancing transparency. The clearly structured layout also enables stakeholders to have easy access to all information in the report," he said.

The report outlines the group's two-pronged growth strategy to create value through local and overseas business expansion.

Mr Leong said MTR Corp sought to grow its Hong Kong business by extending its railway network, enhancing income from non-fare businesses and pursuing further property development.

On network expansion, he said the West Island Line was in the pipeline. "We have seen organic growth in our existing businesses such as increased non-fare revenue through the introduction of new advertising formats and renovated commercial premises at railway stations," he said.

"The property portfolio is expanding with two new shopping malls. The Edge shopping centre opened in Tseung Kwan O early this year while the flagship retail complex Elements is due to be operational next year. The proposed merger with Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation also creates a growth opportunity for MTR."

MTR Corp's overseas strategy focuses on pursuing metro investment opportunities in the mainland and railway operating franchises in Europe.

Mr Leong said the group had made much headway in its mainland expansion, with commitment to the Beijing Metro Line 4 and Shenzhen Metro Line 4 projects. The Beijing metro line is expected to be operational in 2009. Relevant government approval is still pending for the Shenzhen project, which involves a substantial amount of property development.

MTR Corp has put in bids for several train operating franchises in Britain and Scandinavia. Although the company had not won any contracts, Mr Leong said it had gained valuable experience in the bidding process.

Women-only rail carriages rejected by train operators
MTR and KCR block moves aimed to stop indecent assaults
7 November 2006
South China Morning Post

Renewed calls for female-only compartments to stop indecent assaults on trains have been rejected by the two rail operators.

A legislator, a feminist and women's groups said crowded carriages on the Mass Transit Railway and Kowloon-Canton Railway left women vulnerable to groping, and most cases went unreported. But the two companies said they had no plans to introduce segregated carriages.

Police figures show 74 women complained of assault on the two railways last year and 79 the year before compared to 38 in 2003.

The Hong Kong Women Development Association says the reported cases - including 56 from January to September this year - are just the "tip of the iceberg".

"Many women sexually assaulted don't report," said Sha Tin district councillor Yeung Sin-hung, vice-convenor of the association's social policy committee, petitioning outside the KCRC headquarters in Fo Tan.

"We hope that the railways can learn from overseas experience and have female-only carriages."

Ms Yeung said she would conduct opinion polls of male and female commuters at all KCR and MTR stations on female-only carriages.

Legislator Lau Kong-wah also plans to raise the issue in Legco, calling for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau to press to start a trial programme.

"It is worth a trial and it is an option for women to protect themselves from sex crimes," said Mr Lau, who chairs the security panel and sits on the transport panel.

The calls came as a 24-year-old man was charged yesterday with one count of indecent assault after being arrested on board an MTR train in Admiralty.

Police said the man had been released on court bail and will appear in Eastern Court next Monday.

A KCRC spokeswoman, meanwhile, said separate carriages would not be cost-effective as they would require extra staff.

"If we reserve one carriage just for women, less space will be available to other passengers," she said. "We have to consider the impact on other passengers. We will co-operate with police to combat sex crimes."

The MTR said it had no plans for female-only carriages. A spokeswoman said such a measure would be difficult to enforce due to the open design of carriages.

But Ms Yeung said the idea had worked elsewhere, with women-only compartments used effectively in India, Mexico, Taiwan and Japan.

A leader of female-rights group Gutsy Women, which conducted a 2004 internet survey in which two out of three respondents said they had been sexually assaulted on public transport, did not support gender segregation. Co-founder Lam Ying-hing said it would imply that females were "the cause of the sexual assaults". Educating men to respect women, and women reporting abuse, was the answer.

They have to consider that Tokyo has a lot more cars per train than in HK. Having 7 cars for the rest and 1 car for women only is not going to work. The train is already crowded as it is.

Anyone has any information about HK's Central Station? How many people use it and is it the busiest station in MTR's network?

Now it's Central but before, its was either Admiralty or Mong Kok since both are interchanges.

Decision on different rail fares defended
3 November 2006
South China Morning Post

The government yesterday defended its decision to allow the merged entity of the two rail companies to adjust fares on individual routes.

Faced with criticism from lawmakers, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation also gave an assurance that people's ability to pay would be taken into account when it set fares in the future.

The remarks came after the government revealed in a document to the Legislative Council on Tuesday that on top of a fare adjustment rate to be reviewed every year under a formula, the merged entity would be given a variation range of 10 per cent on individual rail lines, providing the overall adjustment was no greater than the rate.

Speaking at the Legco committee to vet the merger bill, lawmakers criticised the move, saying it would create uneven fares.

"How can the passengers get used to a fare structure which bounces like a see-saw? What will they think if passengers on other lines enjoy lower fares at their expense?" asked Emily Lau Wai-hing from The Frontier.

MTR senior transport planning manager Eddie So Chung-tat gave this example: "If we reduce the fare by 40 cents for 300 passengers, we must raise the fare by $1.20 for 100 other passengers to maintain the balance."

The company did not disclose the method to be used for setting fares on individual lines, but finance director Lincoln Leong Kwok-kuen told the Bills Committee fares would not spring out of control.

He said a range of variation was particularly important to provide the company with some flexibility.

Other lawmakers, including Lau Kong-wah, from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, questioned the decision to exclude the corporation's property development profits in the fare-adjustment formula.

Deputy secretary for the environment, transport and works Patrick Ho Chung-kei said the profit was already reflected in thefare structure on initial setting of prices.

MTR Press Release:
Beijing Mayor Visited MTR Corporation (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-095-E.pdf)

Gov't Press Release from the Legisative Council for why some MTR stations do not have escalators to the ground level:
LCQ17 : Escalators leading to MTR stations' entrances/exits (http://info.gov.hk/gia/general/200611/22/P200611220144.htm)

Source: The Standard
(http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=32420&sid=10998634&con_type=3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan to expand MTR station

Leslie Kwoh

Wednesday, November 22, 2006


If the government allows MTR Corporation to expand the Causeway Bay station concourse by up to three times, pedestrian traffic along nearby surface streets could be reduced by half, the corporation claimed Tuesday.

"This will resolve not only congestion in the area, but also the severe pollution that is unique to Causeway Bay," said senior design management engineer Albert Yuen Sing.

"At the same time, it'll bolster the district's reputation as a shopping destination."

Presenting a new proposal to the Wan Chai District Council Tuesday, senior MTRC executives argued that expanding its underground shopping concourse from 4,000 square meters to about 12,000 sqm would help reduce pedestrian congestion at the notoriously packed crosswalk in front of the Sogo department store.

According to the proposal, four exits will also be added to Causeway Bay station, in the area near Sogo and Yee Wo Street.

Company figures show that more than 220,000 commuters pass through the station each day - on par with other busy stations in Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Central. However, while the other stations all have 13 or 14 exits, Causeway Bay currently has only nine.

Exit E, which opens out on to Great George Street, would be scrapped and replaced by two new exits - E1 on East Point Road and E2 further east on Great George Street.

Exit F, near Jardine's Crescent, will be supported by three additional exits - F1 and F2 on Yee Wo Street and F3 near the former Hennessy Centre buil
ding.

But the western perimeter of the station - namely, exit A at Times Square, and exits B and C at Causeway Bay Plaza - will be excluded from the plans, leaving some district councillors to accuse MTRC of placing its commercial interests first.

"Your whole proposal hides behind the pretense of relieving pedestrian volume, but in fact you just want to create more shops," said council vice- chairman John Tse Wing-ling.

"Relief is provided only for MTR commuters, not for general shoppers or visitors."

Tse recommended linking the eastern and western concourses to help boost development in high-potential areas near Causeway Bay Plaza and Lee Gardens.

However, MTRC public relations manager Wong Chiu-yung replied that a feasibility study indicated that 70 percent of commuters use the eastern exits, while only 30 percent use the western exits. Moreover, she said, such a link would add an additional 18 months to construction time, causing "a lot of nuisance to the district."

But the corporation maintained the four-year construction period for the expansion of the concourse - which would require the shutting down in phases traffic lanes on Hennessy Road and Great George Street - would cause only "minimal" disruption to the public.

MTRC's presentation to the council on Tuesday was a follow-up on an earlier concept plan submitted to the council in 2004 which was in response to the Planning Department's decision in 2001 to expand the pedestrian network in Causeway Bay.

The corporation said it is in talks with the government about the latest details, and hopes to obtain approval by 2007. Construction would begin two years later.

Council chairwoman Ada Wong Ying-kay said members approved the plan "in principle" but asked MTRC to return in six months with more details, including the number of new shops and total cost of the project.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20061122/MTR.jpg
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20061122/MTR2.jpg

That's why make Causeway Bay unique! The crowds! Just like Times Square in New York.....

I agree that people add atmosphere, but overcrowding is also a public safety concern. Imagine a stampede at Times Square or Shibuya.

I went to HK this summer (mid August) and I noticed that most of the MTR's LED displays over the platforms were not working (especially Island Line). Either it had a sign that read "Work in Progress" or no sign at all. Does anyone know why? This actually lowered my impression of MTR since my last visit.

I believe they were making them smaller and improving them a bit.

MTR Corporate Social Responsibility (http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/socialres/socialres0611_e.pdf) ->PDF 4.13MB

MTR Press Release:
New entrance at MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station to provide more convenient access (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-098-E.pdf)

MTR Press Release:
MTR CEO Mr C K Chow Renews Contract For Three Years (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-100-E.pdf)

I hope this development model won't spur other attempts to move traffic away from the street level. Causeway Bay has a legitimate case because the streets are overcrowded, but for other less busy areas, moving people indoors (above-ground or underground) may mean the end of streetlife in those areas.

Lam Tin to Kwun Tong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlotAu3e9tc

http://static.flickr.com/121/314269944_767bde02eb_b.jpg

China: MTR Corp has begun a year-long trial of LED lighting
1 December 2006
Railway Gazette International

China: MTR Corp has begun a year-long trial of LED lighting developed by Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. Arrays of 56 LEDs have replaced fluorescent strips in a car used on the Tsuen Wan Line, and MTR hopes to achieve a 10% reduction in energy used for lighting.

It doesn't look good. They need to modify the coloring. It looks too blue, sterile, lifeless. The yellow needs to be emphasized like the old way.

Do you have any pictures that we could see?

Security chief dismisses calls for women-only railway compartments
7 December 2006
South China Morning Post

Repeated calls for female-only compartments to protect women from being groped on trains have been rejected by the government.

Security chief Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said yesterday the rail companies did not like the idea because it would interfere with the walk-through design of their carriages.

"There would be practical enforcement difficulties in controlling passengers moving between train compartments," he told legislators.

Mr Lee was responding to a question from Legco security panel chairman Lau Kong-wah of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

Mr Lee said both the MTR Corp and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation had deployed staff to patrol the stations and help passengers, and closed-circuit television was also being used. He said that in the first 10 months of the year there had been 125 cases of indecent assault on public transport, a 10.1 per cent decrease on the same period last year.

Among those calling for segregated compartments is DAB legislator Choy So-yuk, who said that local operators could learn from Japan and Taiwan, where cars were being reserved for women in the morning and evening rush hours.

"Many women being indecently assaulted on public transportation dare not call out for help - they are just too scared of being insulted," Ms Choy said in a public appeal to the MTR Corp earlier this week.

Sha Tin district councillor Yeung Sin-hung, a convenor of the Hong Kong Women Development Association, said last month that segregated compartments also worked effectively in India and Mexico.

Ms Yeung was speaking as she petitioned outside the KCRC headquarters in Fo Tan for women-only compartments.

Security Bureau figures show that 13 people were convicted of indecent assault on public transport in the first six months of the year. The figures for 2005 and 2004 were 69 and 73.

According to police figures, in the first 10 months of this year, there were 58 reported cases of indecent assault on buses, 29 on the MTR, 19 on the KCR, and eight on public light buses.

MTR Breaks its normal patronage achieves record for twice this month! :eek2:

MTR Press Releases:
MTR Patronage Achieves Record High: Enhanced Service Planned for the Holidays (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-107-E.pdf)

MTR Patronage Achieves Another Record High (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-108-E.pdf)

MTR Breaks its normal patronage achieves record for twice this month! :eek2:

MTR Press Releases:
MTR Patronage Achieves Record High: Enhanced Service Planned for the Holidays (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-107-E.pdf)

MTR Patronage Achieves Another Record High (http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-108-E.pdf)

It's crazy enough a few days back when CWB station needed to be shutted down for a little bit to relief the pressure. Where do all these people come from?? Might be we need to run train every minute in the near future.

It's crazy enough a few days back when CWB station needed to be shutted down for a little bit to relief the pressure. Where do all these people come from?? Might be we need to run train every minute in the near future.

Tourist and people from the mainland maybe.....

It's crazy enough a few days back when CWB station needed to be shutted down for a little bit to relief the pressure. Where do all these people come from?? Might be we need to run train every minute in the near future.

They shut a station down? Do you mean that they only didn't let ppl in or that no trains would stop?!?!

They shut a station down? Do you mean that they only didn't let ppl in or that no trains would stop?!?!

Good question. I don't know, all I heard was "shutted down for a few minute." I guess it meant "stopped letting people enter the station," or even no train stopped it would be one or two trains at most I guess.

Back on 1 July, 2003 when Hong Kong had the huge demostration against the government, people flooded the CWB and Tin Hau stations; and MTR actually shutted down the two stations, no trains stopped at CWB and Tin Hau for hours that time. People had to worked to CWB from either Wan Chai or Fortress Hill.
So a station shutted down due to overcrowded had happened before.

Good question. I don't know, all I heard was "shutted down for a few minute." I guess it meant "stopped letting people enter the station," or even no train stopped it would be one or two trains at most I guess.

Back on 1 July, 2003 when Hong Kong had the huge demostration against the government, people flooded the CWB and Tin Hau stations; and MTR actually shutted down the two stations, no trains stopped at CWB and Tin Hau for hours that time. People had to worked to CWB from either Wan Chai or Fortress Hill.
So a station shutted down due to overcrowded had happened before.

Well, I've walked btwn stations before, MTR stations aren't that far apart anyway (check out Google Earth). And there are so many other transportation types in HK and really close to each other too, like trams, buses, vans...

Good question. I don't know, all I heard was "shutted down for a few minute." I guess it meant "stopped letting people enter the station," or even no train stopped it would be one or two trains at most I guess.

Back on 1 July, 2003 when Hong Kong had the huge demostration against the government, people flooded the CWB and Tin Hau stations; and MTR actually shutted down the two stations, no trains stopped at CWB and Tin Hau for hours that time. People had to worked to CWB from either Wan Chai or Fortress Hill.
So a station shutted down due to overcrowded had happened before.

They also shutted down Wan Chai this year when people were protesting against the government around that area.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/364018285_8446a322d8_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/364017959_626f190d3c_b.jpg

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61853013@N00/

Last week, one of the PSD broke in Shek Kip Mei. No one was hurt in the incident thankfully. It was fixed by the next day.

Does any1 know if the thread Hong Kong MTR subway part 1 is still here? I wanted to see a diagram/picture of something there again.

Does any1 know if the thread Hong Kong MTR subway part 1 is still here? I wanted to see a diagram/picture of something there again.

Yes, it is : http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=122558

Yes, it is : http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=122558

Thanks! Wow, I first used the search feature, but it wasn't there. Thanks!

Deadline for MTR's report on fare blunder
25 January 2007
South China Morning Post

The MTR Corporation has been given three days by the government to submit a report regarding the 230 commuters who were overcharged for fares deducted from their Octopus cards at Kowloon Tong station two weeks ago.

Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao Sau-tung said the transport department had already asked the MTR to investigate the incident to prevent similar occurrences. "We do not wish to see such incidents happen again," she said.

Dr Liao believed the incident was an isolated one but said the company needed to regain public confidence.

On Tuesday, the rail company said a malfunctioning gate at Kowloon Tong next to exit C had overcharged 230 commuters between 30 HK cents and HK$3 for nearly three hours in the afternoon and early evening on January 10.

The malfunction, caused by a faulty computer card installed earlier in the day, was discovered after two passengers reported discrepancies in the fares deducted from their cards.

Passengers overcharged can claim one free ticket between 2pm and 8pm until Sunday at a special counter in Kowloon Tong station.

But yesterday, some commuters complained the service counter was inconveniently located.

A City University student, who gave his name as Mr Wong, said he travelled to Kowloon Tong daily and asked why the incident had not been reported earlier.

"How can you expect people to remember that far back if they had been at this station at that particular time?"

He added: "The incident happened at exit C. At least have the refund counter near that exit. Why is it on the opposite side of the concourse?"

Lee Sui-ying, who checked her ticket and found she had not been overcharged, said: "How can you expect everyone to come here just for a few dollars? They should have made the service available at all MTR customer service counters."

Another commuter, who gave his name as Mr Sit and who lives in Kowloon Tong, thought the compensation offer was a nice gesture.

"It is nice to see a big company step forward and admit its mistakes."

But he was concerned there may have been more errors: " How many cases have gone undetected?"

So how is the 20-tone door closing signal test going on the island line? Any opinions about it?

I don't really care, as long as it doesn't sound silly or pose a safety hazard. I think they're trying to imitate KCR.

So how is the 20-tone door closing signal test going on the island line? Any opinions about it?

What is it? Any information? I have never heard about that. :)

So how is the 20-tone door closing signal test going on the island line? Any opinions about it?

I believe it has spread into the Kwun Tong line as well, the latest video I saw of the Kwun Tong line has more than 9 "doot"...

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EricIsHim, the MTR has changed the number of closing door "doot" from 9 to 25 times [I think?]. Which I think is not that safe because people are going to run down the escalators since they hear the "doot".

PpOqu55N-0k

They should go back to having no beeps, LOL