TNAG-1512-FCO40-2070-Kowloon-Canton-highway-and-Kowloon-Canton-Railway-Corporatio-1986 — Page 68

THICK

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JUL 1236

SPEECH BY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 16/7/86

KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT

Sir,

REVISED

PA/LRY)

ABELL

LL 1986

I move the second reading of the Kowloon-Canton

Railway Corporation (Amendment) Bill 1986.

2.

The Bill provides a legal framework for the

Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation to construct and operate a

Light Rail Transit System in the North-western New Territories

and to operate local bus services in that part of the Territory.

3.

In view of the public interest and concern that has

been engendered, I should first of all like to outline the

background to and the reasons for proceeding with the Light

Rail Transit System. In planning the development of Tuen Mun

New Town and the North-western New Territories, careful thought

was given as to the best form of public transport for the

region. The new town was planned from the outset with an

"Exclusive Public Transport Right of Way" segregated from the

ordinary road network. A detailed evaluation of the respective

merits and demerits of buses,

of buses, LRT and other modes was carried

out to determine which would best meet the needs of the area.

The LRT was finally chosen because it blends the modern

technology and comfort of the electric railway with the

convenience and easy accessibility of the tram and because it

is fast and reliable without the smoke,

noise and

congestion