3
+
Monday, May 21, 1973
KEY ROLE FOR KOWLOON BAY DEPOT IN MASS TRANSIT SCHEME
Extensive site preparation at Kowloon Bay is required before work
can begin on constructing the main depot of the mass transit railway, which
will serve thousands of daily commuters on both sides of the harbour.
This must be completed within six months from now if work on the
depot is to start on schedule at the beginning of next year.
Facilities at the depot will include train sidings, an administration
centre, workshops and maintenance facilities.
The Director of Mass Transit Studies, Mr. A.H. Wilkins, said that
the 28-acre site at Kowloon Bay will become the nerve centre for the entire
mass transit system.
A traffic control centre will be accommodated in the administration
building, and the depot will provide centralised facilities to meet repair,
storage and maintenance requirements.
"It is essential to begin work early so that a major depot can be
laid out where trains can be assembled, tested and maintained, and where
training facilities can be provided for railway staff," Mr. Wilkins said.
"Training of staff will have to begin almost immediately after January 1
next year."
The Kowloon Bay depot will be linked with the initial phase of the
mass transit network,
Track will be laid first from the depot to the link with the Kowloon-
Canton railway near Kowloon Tong as it is anticipated that rolling stock will
be delivered from ships to the depot via this route.
This first