XN000022-1972-10-03 — Page 6

6

Tuesday, October 3, 1972

To date, there are about 1,620,000 people or 40 per cent of the

population living in government-aided housing of one sort or another.

The construction programme for the period mentioned in the paper

of April 1, 1969 to March 31, 1975 was resettlement housing for 300,000

people and low cost housing for 290,000 people. The latest programme for

April 1, 1971 to March 31, 1977 is to provide government housing for 875,000

people.

On Transport, Mr. Robson said it became apparent in early 1965 that

there was a need for a detailed study of public mass transport, and a preliminary

study was put in hand by a Transport Survey Unit headed by staff from the

British Roads Research Laboratory.

He added that the Government then contracted with Freeman Fox,

Wilbur Smith and Associates to undertake the detailed study necessary to

formulate a functional plan for mass transportation based on demands anticipated

in 1986.

The Hong Kong Mass Transport Study was thereafter carried out in

conjunction with the Public Works Department Transport Survey Unit which,

after investigating existing public transport facilities, development plans

and travel characteristics, assessed travel desires and the traffic volumes

for that year.

Mr. Robson said: "An analysis of these volumes by the consultants

showed that Hong Kong's transportation requirements could best be met by a

40-mile (later recommended to be reduced to 32-mile) mass transit standard

gauge underground railway comprising four separate lines, in combination with

a complete surface network of public service vehicles."

The system,