TNAG-1060-FCO40-1310-Mass-Transit-Railway-in-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 10

The Transport Advisory Committee have considered the transport aspects of the above proposals. They endorse the continuance of the present tramway system. until the MTR Island Line opens, or soon thereafter and that it should subsequently be scrapped.

Public Reaction

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Any proposal to phase out the tram serv ice will evoke a mixed reaction from both the news media and the general public. Those in favour of an early phasing out will argue that the withdrawal of tram service will provide additional road space for other more efficient modes of transport and that, if the tram service were to be retained, then the system would require a complete overhaul which would cause unacceptable traffic congestion over a considerable period of time.

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An unfavourable reaction to the proposals may be expected from regular users of the tram service, who will complain that they are being deprived of a cheap means of transport, and from concerned organisations who will come up with similar arguments and may accuse the Government of arranging these proposals to ensure the profitability of the MTR Island Line. Opposition will also come from those employees who stand to lose their jobs when the trams cease to operate.

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The majority of people concerned are likely to agree that, if the tram service is going to be phased out, then it must continue operating until the opening of the MTR Island Line, Some doubt may be expressed about the ability of the transport system to satisfy predicted demand in the years after the tram service has been withdrawn.

Publicity

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The next step, if Members agree, will be to open negotiations with the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company Limited and with the MTRC along the lines indicated above, and to report back to Members on its outcome. Thereafter, however, any decision which may be made on the future of the tramway system will need to be well publicised. Publicity will explain the reasons for rejecting the proposals to modernise the tram service as well as indicating how the tramway can continue operating until the opening of the MTR Island Line in 1985. It will also point out that the continuation of the present cheap tram service is not an option, and that a new tramway system is likely to prove as expensive as a bus service.

CONFIDENTIAL