TRANSPORT
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Light Rail Transit
In addition to its main line, the KCRC owns and operates the 30.7-kilometre Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in the north-western New Territories which commenced operation in September 1988. An extension was opened on November 3, 1991, between Tuen Mun Ferry Pier and Yau Oi Estate. Two other extensions, to north-east Tuen Mun and Sam Shing, were commissioned on February 2, 1992. The extensions increased the number of stops served by the system from 41 to 51. Six services are provided on the network by a fleet of 85 cars which operate either singly or in pairs. By the end of the year, 314 100 boardings a day were handled on the LRT and on its feeder bus services, which are also operated by the KCRC within the transit service area extending from Tuen Mun to Yuen Long. The LRT operates with zonal fares providing free transfers from one route to another within the zone and to and from feeder buses. Ordinary adult fares range from $2.7 to $3.9.
An extension to the new town of Tin Shui Wai was commissioned on February 10, 1993. Delivery of an additional batch of 30 cars started in September 1992, and is scheduled for completion before mid-1993.
Tramways
Electric trams have operated on Hong Kong Island since 1904. Today, Hongkong Tramways Limited operates six overlapping services over 13 kilometres of double track -along the north shore of Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan and along nearly three kilometres of single line around Happy Valley. The 163 trams, including two open-balcony trams for tourists and private hire, comprise the only all-double-deck tram fleet in the world. All trams had been re-bodied by 1991. Tramway patronage rose marginally during 1992, with an average of 338 000 boardings daily. Fares remained at $1 for adults and $0.5 for children.
Funicular
Hong Kong's other 'tramway' is actually a cable-hauled funicular railway operated by the Peak Tramways Company from Central (Garden Road) to the Peak (Victoria Gap). The 1.4 kilometre line began operation in 1888 and climbs 373 metres on gradients as steep as one-in-two. The line was modernised in August 1989. The service caters largely for sightseers but also serves Peak district commuters. The line serves an average 8925 passengers a day. One-way fares for adults and children are $10 and $4 respectively.
Road Passenger Transport
Road passenger transport accounted for two-thirds of all public transport journeys. Of the journeys made by road, over half were on franchised buses, with the remainder handled by non-franchised buses, green minibuses, public light buses and taxis.
Franchised Buses
The standard and capacity of franchised bus services continued to improve through effective planning and co-ordination. There are four franchised bus companies which together carried 3.4 million passenger boardings daily on a network of 434 regular routes.
The largest bus operator is the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB), which ran 266 bus routes in Kowloon and the New Territories in addition to 33