3
24.
The introduction of the rapid-transit system will
have profound effects on the bus systems as routes are
changed to serve the new stations. The versatility of bus
routing will also accelerate the trend towards higher bus
patronage. At the same time, travel on some tram and ferry
routes may diminish to the point where it is no longer
profitable to continue service.
25.
Stage 1 of rapid-transit development will have a
measurable effect on several cross-harbour ferry routes and
the combined effect of rapid transit and the vehicular
tunnel may cause their patronage to drop below a profitable
level. There will also be a need for re-routing of a few
of the Kowloon bus routes.
26.
Stage 2 will only extend the effects of Stage 1,
but Stage 3 will affect both buses and trams on the island.
Since the rapid transit will serve the same major corridor
as is now served by both buses and trams, and since the
buses can easily be re-routed to complement rather than
compete with rapid transit, it is likely that there would
be a sizeable drop in tram patronage, if the trams were
retained.
27.
Stages 4 and 5 will only continue the effects of
Stages 1, 2 and 3, but Stage 6 will cause a sizeable drop
in patronage on the Kowloon-Canton Railway.
It is estimated
/ that