TRANSPORT
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a.m. At the same time, an 'Early Bird' monthly pass was introduced to encourage passengers to travel before 7.45 a.m.
By the end of the year, the MTR network was served by 34 feeder bus routes. To encourage motorists to use the system, multi-storey carparks are provided adjacent to the MTR stations in Kwai Fong, Tsuen Wan, Sheung Wan and Central.
Kowloon-Canton Railway
The delivery of the 25 sets of three-car electric multiple units ordered by the Kowloon- Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) in 1985 was completed in July 1988, increasing the corporations rolling stock to 255 cars, which was a growth of 45 per cent in carrying capacity over 1987.
The average daily passenger journeys rose from 368 700 in 1987 to 422 000 in 1988. A total of 902 300 cross border passengers passed through Lo Wu Station in 1988. A new record was set up on April 30, 1988 when 583 000 passengers were carried by the railway.
The number of trains run on weekdays increased from 466 in 1987 to 474 in 1988, and the regular operating hours were 5.45 a.m. to 12.44 a.m. Meanwhile, four through trains were run in each direction each day between Kowloon and Guangzhou, increasing to five during busy periods. With the completion of double-tracking between Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the through train journey was reduced from three hours to two-and-a half hours.
A new station, at Tai Wo, north of Tai Po Market and serving a public housing estate, is scheduled for completion by early 1989. With the opening of this station, the number of KCR stations will be increased to 13.
The KCRC also operates three feeder bus routes serving Sha Tin and Tai Po Market stations. KCR passengers can ride on these bus routes free of charge.
Light Rail Transit
Phase One of the KCRC's Light Rail Transit (LRT) system operating between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long was opened to passenger service in September 1988. Its 23-kilometre double track network provides five LRT routes with 41 stops, supplemented by 10 bus routes, forming the core internal transport system of the north-western New Territories. The system operates between 5.30 a.m. and 12.30 a.m. every day.
The LRT adopts an innovative 'Open' fare system, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. There are no turnstiles or gates at stops to slow down boarding and alighting. Passengers can ride on the system by either holding a valid monthly pass or purchasing a single-ride ticket from the vending machine at stops.
The LRT uses a zonal integrated fare structure. LRT monthly pass holders and single-ride passengers can enjoy free transfer to the LRT feeder buses.
Another six regional extensions comprising nine kilometres of double track serving Tin Shui Wai, Long Ping Estate, Sam Shing Estate and north-eastern Tuen Mun will be progressively opened from 1991.
Buses
The standard and level of bus services continue to improve through effective planning and better monitoring. There are three franchised bus companies in Hong Kong, carrying 3.8 million passengers a day on a network of 309 regular routes.
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) operated 218 bus routes in Kowloon and the New Territories in addition to 18 cross-harbour routes jointly operated with the China Motor Bus Company Limited (CMB).