SWB
SU/5525/A3/2
30 May 77
Hong Kong Tube: Testing Ground of London Transport's "Dubious Products"
"Radio Peace and Progress" in English for Asia 1030 gmt 26 May 77 -Excerpt from commentary:
According to the Hong Kong magazine 'Far Eastern Economic Review', the local mass transit railway corporation and the British London Transport have signed a long-term contract for the construction of a subway system in Hong Kong According to the contract, the British firm will develop the project, supervise engineering works, and also supply Hong Kong with the necessary equipment, locomotives and coaches
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However, in Hong Kong itself, this project, judging by everything, does not enjoy popularity. Critics feel that London Transport is not only unable to ensure the quality of the planned construction project but cannot even get things in order at home. Actually, the London subway, or Tube is considered mildly speaking one of the worst in the world. Moreover, the regular breakdowns of different control and measuring instruments and automatic guidance systems make travelling in London's Tube by no means safe. There have been major accidents resulting in many human casualties.
For London Transport, Hong Kong is only one more lucrative market and, to some extent, a testing range for its dubious products. At present the authorities of Hong Kong have their doubts as to the expediency of the concluded contract, but unfortunately the possible annulment of the contract with London Transport cannot change the crux of the problem. The sale of poor quality products and the delivery of untested or frankly unusable technology is commonplace for the majority of Western companies operating, not only in colonies like Hong Kong, but also in independent countries of Asia...