XN000022-1978-03-28 — Page 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 1978

CONSULTANTS TO ADVISE ON

HOW ELECTRIFICATION OF KCR TO BE CARRIED OUT

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE RECOMMENDATIONS BY A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS THAT THE HUNG HOM TO LO WU SECTION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SHOULD BE ELECTRIFIED. A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY A FINAL DECISION WOULD BE MADE AFTER THE CONSULTANTS HAVE ADVISED HOW THIS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT.

THE CONSULTANTS PREDICT A MASSIVE INCREASE IN PASSENGERS USING THE RAILWAY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND ADVISE THAT THIS INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES CAN ONLY BE MET IF THE LINE IS ELECTRIFIED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ESTIMATED COST OF ELECTRIFICATION WOULD BE ALMOST $400 MILLION.

HE SAID THE CONSULTANTS WERE BEING ASKED TO DRAW UP A PROGRAMME OF PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRIFICATION AND TO RECOMMEND HOW EARLIEST POSSIBLE COMPLETION WOULD BE ACHIEVED.

HE SAID THEY WERE ALSO BEING ASKED TO IDENTIFY THE MOST SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR MAINTAINING, STABLING AND SERVICING ROLLING STOCK TO AGREE PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AGAINST ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE TO AGREE THE FUTURE SIGNALLING AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM- AND TO SPECIFY ROLLING STOCK REQUIREMENTS.

THE COST OF THIS STUDY WILL BE JUST UNDER $600,000.

THE CONSULTANTS ESTIMATE 153 MILLION PASSENGER TRIPS A YEAR BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND LO WU BY 1991 COMING MAINLY FROM THE EXPANDING NEW TOWN OF SHA TIN. ACCORDING TO THE CONSULTANTS A DAILY SERVICE OF 180 TRAINS WILL BE NEEDED TO COPE WITH THIS DEMAND.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID AN ELECTRIFIED KCR WOULD PROVIDE THE CAPACITY REQUIRED TO CARRY THE HEAVY INCREASE IN PASSENGERS PLUS A FASTER AND MORE FREQUENT SERVICE AND AN IMPROVED STANDARD OF TRAVEL.

HE SAID THAT, PROVIDING NO UNFORESEEN PROBLEMS AROSE THE FIRST CONTRACTS FOR THE PROJECT COULD BE LET IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR.

+ IF THIS TARGET IS MET, HE SAID, ELECTRIFIED TRAINS WILL BE RUNNING BY 1981.+

HE SAID THAT THE $400 MILLION RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME WOULD BE ADDITIONAL TO THE CONSIDERABLE CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME ALREADY IN HAND TO ASSIST THE KCR TO SERVE THE INCREASING POPULATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TO SUPPORT EXPANDING FREIGHT TRAFFIC FROM CHINA.

THERE WERE ALREADY