7. The Public works Department and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation have been carrying out a detailed feasibility study on the plan. In the meantime, GEC and Met Cam are keeping a
close eye on developments.
Tuen Mun Light Railway
8. The Hong Kong Government has asked the Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company Ltd (which owns Hong Kong Tramways Ltd) to build and operate a 25 km tram network based on the new town of Tuen Mun
in the extreme west of the New Territories. A 17 km system would be built initially with an 8 km extension to Yuen Long following later. The first stage is to be completed by 1983.
9.
The consultancy contract for the project has been awarded to
Electrowatt of Switzerland. Met-Cam have been leading a UK consortium in pursuit of a turnkey contract for the project, but it now appears that separate contracts for vehicles, trackwork and power supply will be let. Total cost of the project has been estimated at US $100 million but the potential net return to the UK is uncertain at this stage. Tenders are expected to be issued in May 1980, with the contract awards by the end of the year.