C.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL.
XCC (83) 125
Page
10
of
purchasing
an
the equivalent cost supporting buses for secondary services.
LRT fleet and the KMB considers that
the bus network would be viable, and that fares could be held in real terms to about today's levels until 1996.
as it
But
the
future
27
Prima facie, the bus
bus option
attractive, option is would cost Government less and could be flexibly staged.
into consideration any assessment should properly take
the sustain
necessary
to
transport planning development of the Western New Territories.
Transport planning proposals of the North
Western New Territories (NWNT) base strategy studies
28
The NWNT base strategy studies began in 1982 and are the final stage of a continuous planning exercise in progress since 1979. The consultants were required to prepare outline development, outline zoning and selected area layout plans for the sub-region, which corresponds broadly with the Yuen Long administrative district.
to be Transport proposals were included in the plans.
•
is
29
The studies have found that a strong demand for movement to the Metropolitan Area will be generated by the
Additional road investment NWNT, together with Tuen Mun. recommended, principally comprising a trunk road from east of Yuen Long to north Tuen Mun to duplicate the Castle
Castle Peak Road. Mainly because the Tuen Mun road would be saturated by is the early 1990's, a rail link to the Metropolitan Area recommended. An LRT extension from Tuen Mun to Tsuen Wan or an MTR extension from Tsuen Wan direct to Yuen Long were the
main two
The possibilities.
choice is
balanced, finely although the consultants advise the MTR extension.
30
a as
•
The studies assumed the provision of the Western New Territories LRT system, and the consultants note that "the LRT system has the potential to provide the best local public firm to give the WNT transport system in Hong Kong and foundation for development" On the alternative bus strategy, they have concluded that "with the bus option it makes less sense to terminate the MTR at Yuen Long than with the LRT acting
Thus feeder system.
the early extension of the MTR to Tin Shui Wai and onwards to Tuen Mun offers an external link and also caters for the major centre to centre movements in the WNT".
is This
an important statement, in that opting for a bus strategy would bring with This it the need for "heavy" rail investment in the 1990's. has been costed in the study at $2 billion for a line from
Town Centre, Yuen Long to Tuen Mun Town
and would cost extended to Butterfly Estate as the consultants suggest. this assessment is accepted, it means that the alternative to the LRT system is not really an all-bus system, but a bus system which will subsequently have
supplemented by
to
be
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