TNAG-0276-FCO40-312-Plans-for-construction-of-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-1970 — Page 71

EXCLUSIVE

feature page special

1910

HONGKONG STANDARD Wednesday, October 14, 1970 Page 7/

If the first stage of a mass transit system-like the propsed subway-is not implemented within the next five years,

some vehicles may have to be baned entirely from certain built-up areas.`.

SUBWAY A SAVIOUR?

BY BOB BENNETT

HONGKONG'S proposed underground railway

system, believed to cost $4,400 million to build and operate within 15 years, would be a justifiable economic proposition.

There appeared to be no alternative to the subway and failure to implement its first stage within five years could bring traffic chaos to Hongkong.

Spokesmen from the Transport Department and Public Works Department, both concerned with studying and planning of the subway, said this yesterday.

They were commenting on the recent personal opinion expressed by the Financial Secretary, Sir John Cowperthwaite, that the ! mass transit system would be uneconomical.

Sir John, addressing the Legislative Council, said: "My own conclusion from reading the report is that it proves conclusively that, even if the necessary capital were available, the scheme would not be economically viable by quite a wide margin."

OVERALL COSTS

Reliable sources close to the consultants revealed yesterday overall costs for the 15-year scheme aimed at fully developing the underground system, including capital and operational costs, would be about $4,400 million,'

The initial, phase, which would link Kuntong to Western Market via an underwater tunnel across the harbour would be about $2,000 million.

the

Income from the subway considered for 15-year period would provide for a seven-per-cent return.

ADMIRALTY

JEZI KOWLOON BAY *#$

This is the view commuters will get as they wait to catch trains in the subway station. Signs overhead will indicate the trains leaving from the platform, which is several hundred feet long.

Considered on the first phase operation the return would be about six per cent.

Commenting on these figure yesterday, Transport Commissioner Mr A.J. Shephard said: "While the first stage may be regarded as a marginally commercial venture these figures have been drawn up on a basis of maximising costs and taking a.conservative estimate of returns.

"It is possible that returns could, in fact, be better than this estimate.

"We are, however, keen to view the overall project and when it is considered this way it can be made a commercially viable system.

"Any error made in estimates would be in

favour of a higher return from the subway," he said.

.

+

"This would have to be built overland and would take up space not only with the rail line itself but also with the area needed for stations."

And any mass transit system considered would have to go underwater across the harbour, the source said.

"What we are most concerned about is the 15 per cent growth rate per year in the number of vehicles on the roads."

If the subway was not introduced some ́vehicles might be banned entirely from certain

built-up areas.

"Without the subway I don't see how Hongkong can hope to cope."

STANDSTILL

Mr Shephard said: "The consultants' study has recommended that the first stage of the subway should be ready by 1977 to save the chaos, we will have on the roads by that time." If Hongkong did not have the system in action by that date traffic congestion would virtually bring the Colony to a standstill.

"By 1977 we will have at least double the present traffic volume we have now even if we can reduce the present rate of growth."

"There is no other mass transport system that offers a suitable alternative," Mr Shephard said.

A Public Works Department source said: "We have not been as concerned with the economic aspects as the Transport Department If the subway proposal was not adopted, who know just what types of fares can be more stringent measures to restrict the use of charged and what the costs of operation can non-essential road traffic would have to be. be.

in of Sedans at ufumintroduced, a sm „fida ogni "But it is true that no other system is likely it These might become so tough as to become" to provide a working alternative to the almost a curtailment of civil liberty, Mr underground system if we are to maintain our

Shephard said. present rate of mobility in the Colony."

A monorail system, similar to that used in Japan, had been considered and rejected at the start of the study of a mass transit system.

Kerb-side parking and stopping might have

to be abolished and certain lanes on roads might have to be reserved for public transport alone.

This is the vehicle on which hopes of solving Hongkong's traffic congestion could depend. It is an artists' impression of what Hongkong's subway trains will look like. The trains will consist of several metallic carriages each about 10 feet six inches wide. The interior, while rather austere, is designed to be functional.

C Entrance and exit concourses to the proposed subway will be one of the busiest places in the city

and have been designed to provide plenty of room for busy commuters, according to this sketch,