TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 29

CONFIDENTIAL

ANNEX A

HONG KONG MASS TRANSIT SCHEME

1.

The main features of the proposed Mass Transit System are:

Initial System

Final System

Mileage:

12.6

32.7

Mode of electrification:

1500 volt DC 3rd rail

1500 volt DC 3rd rail

Number of Stations:

20

48

Time scale:

Start: 1972 Complete:

Complete: 1986

Estimated cost:

(mid-1970 costs excluding engineering fees, supervision of construction, Government administration costs and possible future inflation.)

A map is attached.

1976/78

HK$1900 million HK$4400 million

= £135 million

£302 million

2, In January 1971, the Transport Advisory Committee recommended to the Government that the scheme was "both necessary and

adequate for Hong Kong's future transport needs". However,

the high cost involved and the problem of financing the scheme

as well as the doubts of some as to the scheme's viability led

to the appointment in August 1971 of an Inter-departmental Working

Group under the chairmanship of the Deputy Economic Secretary.

This group was expected to take about 6 months in its examination

of the matter. It has not yet reported.

1

CONFIDENTIAL

13.