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Communications and Transport
HEAVY demands were placed upon Hong Kong's transport system during 1979 owing to the acute shortage of road space, the growth in the number of vehicles registered, the density of urban development and the needs of an increasing population.
Hong Kong's buses, ferries, minibuses, taxis, trams and railways provide an integrated public transport network. However, to cope with the territory's steadily increasing transport demands, the network needs to be continually improved through modernisation and greater efficiency. An overall policy framework, in which government planners defined ways to meet transport challenges up to the 1990s, was provided in a White Paper published in May, 1979. The White Paper entitled 'Keeping Hong Kong Moving' indicated that the development of a complete multi-modal transport system rested on three major principles. These were the improvement of the road system; the expansion and improvement of public transport; and the more economical use of roads.
It is essential that transport planning proceeds speedily and efficiently to keep pace with Hong Kong's rapid urban development. Accordingly, while new roads, flyovers and tunnels are being built, work continues on the task of finding other imaginative and practical schemes to meet the territory's traffic needs. The rephasing of the road development programme, because of government-imposed financial restraints, has meant delaying important road projects. This, in turn, has placed more emphasis on the upgrading of public transport and the better use of roads.
The most significant improvement in public transport in 1979 was the opening of the Modified Initial System of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR). The first stage of the under- ground railway began running in October, four more stations in Kowloon became operational in December, and the entire system was in use by February, 1980. It is anticipated that one million passengers a day will be using this system by the mid-1980s, benefiting from its speed, reliability and air-conditioned comfort. Work on the Tsuen Wan extension of the MTR is proceeding according to plan and this 10.5-kilometre line with 10 stations is scheduled to open in 1982.
Work on the electrification and modernisation of the Kowloon-Canton Railway con- tinued in 1979. By 1982, a high speed, suburban service will link the new town of Sha Tin in the New Territories with Kowloon. At Kowloon Tong station, passengers will be able to interchange with the MTR, thus effectively integrating the two systems into one rail network.
The feasibility of a new light rail transit system is being studied for the congested north shore of Hong Kong Island. If the project proceeds, the first stage could be operating by 1983. Another light rail transit system is being considered for the new towns of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long in the western New Territories.
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