CHAPTER 14
Transport
WITH a growing population and incessant building development, moving people and goods around in Hong Kong has always been a great challenge. The Government has to ensure that this is being done in accordance with sustainable development principles. It involves timely provision of transport infrastructure with railways as the backbone; better co-ordination of public transport services; efficient management of road use and active promotion of road safety.
Significant developments were again recorded in railway services in 2000. In October, the Government privatised, through an Initial Public Offering, a substantial minority of its shareholding in the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC). The MTRC, as well as the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), have hitherto been statutory corporations, wholly owned by the Government and government equity has been a major source of funding for expansion of the railway network over the years. The privatisation of the MTRC will further enhance railway expansion with the introduction of private capital.
During the year, the MTRC awarded all civil works contracts and major system- wide mechanical and electrical contracts for its Tseung Kwan O Extension. It also commenced its Platform Screen Door Retrofit Scheme in June. The KCKC continued to make rapid progress in 2000 on its West Rail. Construction work began in 1998 and, in overall terms, by the end of the year the project was more than one-third complete, and well on target for the railway to commence service by the end of 2003. The KCRC's Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link and Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui Extension were authorised by the Chief Executive in Council in October. Construction of these two priority projects is expected to be completed in 2004. In parallel, the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line project has been undergoing the statutory processes. Planning for the Penny's Bay Rail Link is progressing in tandem with the planning and implementation of the Hong Kong Disneyland project.
On road services, the improvement works to Castle Peak Road between Siu Lam and So Kwan Tan have been completed. Preliminary designs for several projects have also been completed, including the Chok Ko Wan Link Road (which will provide road access to Penny's Bay where Hong Kong Disneyland will be located), and widening of Tolo Highway between Fanling and Tai Po.
Progress has been made in the development of information technology in transport. Two major studies, one on the management of the Strategic Road Network and the other on a Transport Information System, were completed in 2000. In addition to a feasibility study on establishing a Traffic Management and Information Centre, a comprehensive strategic review on the development of an Intelligent Transport
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