TRANSPORT
To co-ordinate work more effectively and to minimise traffic disruption the Highways Department holds monthly Road Opening Co-ordinating Committee meetings with the utility companies, the police and the Transport Department. A computerised utility management system was developed in 1997 to further improve co-ordination and minimise disturbance to road users.
Public Transport
Rail, bus, ferry and other transport services offer Hong Kong commuters a good choice on different transport modes at reasonable fares and different levels of comfort, speed and convenience.
Railways
Railways form an important part of the public transport system in Hong Kong. They account for 30 per cent of the total daily public transport volume. The railways in Hong Kong are built and operated by two railway corporations, namely, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) and Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC), both wholly owned by the government and operating on prudent commercial principles. The objective behind the establishment of statutory corporations to run railways is to improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness in railway operations. This is also consistent with government's prevailing policy of not subsidising public transport.
The KCRC was established in 1982 as a statutory public body to operate the KCR (now commonly known as East Rail), which was formerly built and operated by government. East Rail connects Kowloon, through the New Territories, to the Lo Wu crossing to the Mainland. It has undergone massive improvements over the years to cater for changing transport demand and rising public aspirations on the quality of rail services. A single track system in 1910, it was completely electrified and double- tracked by 1983. The railway is undergoing signal improvement and train refurbishment works. Upon the completion of these works in 1999, East Rail's capacity will be increased by some 15 per cent. The railway carried more than 750 000 passengers trips every day in 1998. The KCRC is planning and implementing West Rail (Phase I), the Ma On Shan rail link, the TST Extension and the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau spur line.
The MTRC was established by statue in 1975 to operate the MTR. The first passenger train of the Kwun Tong Line of the MTR started operation in late 1979. The MTR was subsequently expanded to include Tsuen Wan Line (1982), Island Line (1985) and the Eastern Harbour Crossing rail tunnel (connecting Kwun Tong to Quarry Bay) (1989). It carried an average of 2.3 million passengers per weekday in 1998. The MTRC also operates the Airport Railway.
The Light Rail started operation in 1988 to meet local transport needs of the residents in the north western parts of the New Territories. It is run by the KCRC. Its maximum speed is 80 km/h and it carried some 314 000 passengers every day in 1998.
Tramway
Electric trams have operated on Hong Kong Island since 1904. The Hongkong Tramways Limited operates nine overlapping routes on 13 kilometres of double track
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