ENG-1989 — Page 267

TRANSPORT

Domestic train fares were increased by an average of seven per cent from May 1, 1989 and the ordinary adult fare now ranges from $2.00 to $6.00, according to distance travelled. Train patronage is helped by interchanges with other operators. The busiest station is at Kowloon Tong, where connection is made with the MTRC and numerous feeder bus routes. Feeder buses and green minibuses also serve most other stations, and during the year the KCRC introduced increases in the number of its own free feeder bus routes.

Further improvements are planned for the KCRC in the near future. During the year reconstruction of the Ho Tung Lau workshops began, which, when completed in 1993 will provide better maintenance facilities and accommodation for additional trains. Nine six-car trains will enter service in 1990-1 and another seven will be delivered in 1991-2.

Light Rail Transit

In addition to its main line, the KCRC owns and operates the 23-kilometre Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in the north-western New Territories which commenced operation in September 1988. Initial services comprised five routes with a sixth route introduced in June 1989. There are 41 stops and traffic is handled by 70 light rail cars operated either singly or in pairs. By the end of the year 226 700 boardings a day were handled on the LRT and on its feeder bus services, which are also operated by the KCRC within a transit service area extending from Tuen Mun to Yuen Long. Unusually for Hong Kong, an 'open' fare system is employed, with zonal fares providing free transfers from one route to another and to and from feeder buses.

The LRT system is constructed largely on roadside reserves, although there is some tramway-style street running. Unfamiliarity with rail operation in and alongside the roads led to a number of accidents during running trials and shortly after the 1988 opening. Consequently a number of measures have been put into effect to improve and make the public more alert to the system.

The system will be further extended by three links in Tuen Mun to be completed at the end of 1991.

Tramways

Electric trams have operated on Hong Kong Island since 1904. Today, Hongkong Tramways operates six overlapping services over 13 kilometres of double track between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan and along almost three kilometres of single line around Happy Valley. The 163 trams comprise the only all-double-deck tram fleet in the world. During the year a rebodying programme continued, and by the year's end over half the fleet had been rebodied or refurbished. Tramway patronage fell slightly during the year to 349.500 boardings daily, and fares remained unchanged since 1983 at 60 cents per adult trip. In March, the depot at Sharp Street was closed, being replaced by a new stabling depot at Sai Wan Ho and also the new Whitty Street depot and the workshops in Sai Ying Pun.

Funicular

Hong Kong's other 'tramway' is actually a cable-hauled funicular railway operated from Garden Road in Central to Victoria Gap by the Peak Tramways Company. The 1.4-kilometre line began operation in 1888 and climbs 373 metres on gradients as steep as one-in-two. The service caters largely for sightseers but also serves Peak district

commuters.

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