TNAG-0855-FCO40-1065-Construction-of-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 93

CONFIDENTIAL #2

HKK. 173/2

MAY 1979

MOOD

ukan

機密

47

23.4

HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

19th April 1979

(MOVEMENT OF OPINION DIRECTION)

ir Williamso

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X 23/4

MOOD is written for senior officers who are familiar with the general background of life in Hong Kong, who have experience of contact with the public themselves, and who are familiar with up-to-date news of Government interest. Its objectives remain a sounding of public opinion and an assessment of public reactions, attitudes and feelings in appropriate Instances. Heads of Departments are asked to ensure that their copies of MOOD are circulated selectively and stored securely at all times,

Public reactions towards MTR fares

(2,008 respondents contacted)

Public's knowledge of the Mass Transit Railway

Respondents from Hong Kong Island were generally less knowledgeable about the Modified Initial System; they only knew that this was being constructed without any idea of its routing or stations. Their interest varied largely in accordance with whether they would be commuting frequently along the MIS route. Respondents living in Kowloon were also lukewarm in discussing MTR fares although, generally speaking, they were more aware of what was going on having been affected, either directly or indirectly by resumptions, traffic diversions and other inconveniences caused by the MIS construction. Yet, very few of them knew that a section of the MIS would commence operating in October. There was a general feeling of a lack of adequate publicity. Hence, even when respondents were ready to give a view, their knowledge was rather sketchy. Their main interest, however, seemed to be centred on that section of the MIS which crossed the harbour, going from Hong Kong to Kowloon.

2.

The public were unsure, at this stage, whether the MIS would convenience them because of the lack of adequate information on the exact location of stations, the frequency of trains and the waiting time required. Some considered that as long as there were other available transport, they would not turn to the MIS since the routing

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