XN000022-1972-12-18 — Page 3

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Monday, December 18, 1972

The number of passengers carried by the Kowloon-Canton Railway

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has nearly doubled in the past ten years from 6.8 million in 1961 to just

over 10 million in 1971.

At present, the trains carry some 25,000 passengers daily in

weekdays, and up to 63,000 on a holiday.

It is expected that the passengers traffic will rise by five

to ten per cent each year over the next three-year period.

Mr. Lam also disclosed that the project for double-tracking the

railway line between the Hung Hom new termimus and Sha Tin had been in

the planning stage since August this year, and it was hoped that funda

would be allocated next year.

The project, when completed, will make possible a more efficient

schedule of services to be arranged and more frequent shuttle trains between

Hung Hom and Sha Tin,

Building a second line to Sha Tin and remodelling the Mongkok

and Sha Tin stations will cause approximately $16 million. However, the

single line through the Beacon Hill Tunnel will not be doubled for the

time being.

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