G.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL #
機密
XCC(81)47
20
Page
7
A further factor is that the MTRC's plans for the Island
Line include the placing of a concourse for the proposed Causeway Bay station within the Sharp Street tram depot site. Ideally it would be better if this were to be planned in conjunction with subsequent development of the site as a whole. This need would seem to make it sensible, other things being equal, for the MTRC:
(a) to take over the operation of the tramway system
prior to the opening of the Island Line; and
(b) to be granted by private treaty the subsequent
development rights above the depot site on payment of a suitable premium.
Such an arrangement would enable the Corporation to make provision for the continuance of the tramway operation at the depot while its concourse was being built and to integrate this with subsequent development above. The necessary arrangements between the Government and the Corporation for the maintenance of the tramway operation would need to be worked out. They might involve either the Corporation acquiring, and paying for, the system in its own right or for it to act as an agent for the Government in operating the system. Although some of the questions to be resolved, particularly with regard to the Tramways staff, may present problems, it should nevertheless not be too difficult to work out suitable arrangements. Whatever is worked out, however, it will mean that the Sharp Street depot will need to be acquired by the Government from the Tramway Company and its subsidiaries.
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In this connection there are other possibilities whereby the needs of the Government and the Wharf Company might be complementary and thus provide the basis for a satisfactory arrangement. During the discussion of previous proposals for a Light Rail Transit (LRT) System for the Island Corridor the need again arose for the continuance of the tramway system until the LRT commenced operation. It was suggested at that time that the Wharf Company might be offered, in return for the Sharp Street site, a site in Canton Road which is next to the South Camber and contiguous to Kowloon Public Pier No 54 (KPP 54), which it is planned to develop as a terminal for ferry and other seaborne services to China. This site is also next to the Company's own Harbour City development to the south. The idea was for the Company to be granted this site in exchange for the Sharp Street depot and to incorporate within it facilities for the terminal (passenger handling, customs, immigration, etc) to be handed back to the Government on a similar basis to the new Macao Ferry Wharf development now being built. There would then be an appropriate adjustment of premium. As the LRT system was not proceeded with, this exchange proposal has been held in abeyance, but it is now suggested that it be revived. Informal contacts have indicated that the Company remains interested in the proposal.
CONFIDENTIAL
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