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Chapter 13

Transport

Hong Kong's transport system is among the best in the world. It is modern,

efficient and provides affordable, comfortable and safe travelling on a wide range of carriers from which to choose.

The Government provides an efficient transport infrastructure to meet the challenges of population growth and continuous development. It encourages the use of public transport by ensuring quality service. It also manages road use to reduce congestion and promote safety, and supports special measures

measures to protect the environment in places used by public transport.

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On rail transport, which is the backbone of the public transport system, a significant development occurred this year in the form of a merger of the two major rail systems the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) on December 2. The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation granted a service concession of an initial 50 years to the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to operate the KCR system. Following the merger, the MTRCL changed its Chinese name to BRA' and reduced fares.

Railway projects in general progressed smoothly in 2007. The Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, a second rail passenger boundary crossing at Lok Ma Chau, was commissioned in August. Two other railway projects are under construction for completion in 2009. They are the Kowloon Southern Link, which will connect the East Rail Line with the West Rail Line at the southern tip of Kowloon Peninsula, and the Tseung Kwan O South Station, which will extend Tseung Kwan O Line with a branch from Tseung Kwan O Station to Tseung Kwan O South Station.

Progress was also made in the development of road networks. The section between Cheung Sha Wan and Sha Tin of Route 8 is scheduled for commissioning in March 2008 and the remaining section between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan will be completed in stages between late 2008 and mid-2009. The feasibility study on the proposed Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has been largely completed, and the