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During 1994, major improvements were made to enhance customer service on both the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) System, the two core services operated by the Corporation. Punctuality was improved, with the KCR achieving an average of 99.4% and the LRT an average of 98.9%.
The KCR carried 220 million passengers in 1994, an increase of 7% over 1993. Of these, 40 million passengers travelled to and from Lo Wu, an increase of 8%. Through train traffic between Kowloon and Guangzhou decreased by 14% to 2.5 million. To improve passenger comfort, the waiting areas at Lo Wu Station have been enclosed and air-conditioned. Work to enlarge the subway at Kowloon Tong Station linking the KCR and MTR has been progressing well and is near completion.
The LRT carried 130 million passengers in 1994, an increase of 11%. During the year, Phase 3 of the Tin Shui Wai Extension was completed and came into service in March 1995. Platforms at various stops were widened, platform shelters extended. and more service information was provided to passengers.
During the year, the Corporation's freight services faced very keen competition, with modest declines recorded for inbound traffic from 2.3 million tonnes to 2.1 million tonnes, and for outbound traffic from 1.2 million tonnes to 1.1 million tonnes.
The Corporation has planned to invest $7 billion in infrastructure and service improvements by the end of the decade. A number of major projects are already under
way.
To summarise, the Corporation has continued to operate successfully and credit goes to the Chairman, the Managing Board, as well as the management and the staff of the Corporation for their achievements in the past year.
End/Wednesday, April 26, 1995