XN000022-1976-12-23 — Page 2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976

CONSULTANTS TO STUDY

K.C.R. MODERNISATION AND EXPANSION PROGRAMME

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED A BRITISH CONSULTANT FIRM TO CARRY OUT AN ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY'S $1,400 MILLION MODERNISATION AND EXPANSION PROGRAMME.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KCR,

MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID THAT THE FIRM, NAMED TRANSMARK, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE BRITISH RAILWAYS BOARD, WOULD MAKE A STUDY INTO THE PROPOSALS REGARDING THE KCR MADE IN THE RECENTLY COMPLETED COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY.

THEY WOULD ALSO EXAMINE THE PROSPECTS FOR BUILDING BRANCH LINES TO THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL, HE SAID.

+A FEATURE OF THE WORK WILL BE TO SHOW THE COMPARATIVE BENEFITS OF MEETING THE FUTURE INCREASED DEMANDS UPON THE RAILWAY BY EITHER DIESEL OR ELECTRIC TRACTION, MR. GREGORY SAID. +THE FIRM WILL ALSO DETERMINE THE BEST WAY OF MANAGING THE TRANSITION FROM THE EXISTING METHODS OF TRAIN OPERATION TO A FUTURE MODERNISED SYSTEM.+

HE ADDED THAT THE FIRM WOULD ALSO SPECIFY THE MOST EFFICIENT MANNER OF INTEGRATING FREIGHT AND PASSENGER SERVICES.

TRANSMARK WILL BE SUPPORTED IN THEIR WORK BY TWO OTHER FIRMS MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA AND WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES.

THE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

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