ENG-2009 — Page 299

• better use of advanced technologies in transport management; and

⚫ better environmental protection.

Transport | 235

Railway Development and Railway Development Strategy 2000

Railways are safe, efficient, reliable, comfortable and environmentally friendly mass carriers. They play a key role in Hong Kong's transport systems strategy and the Government gives high priority to railway development. The Railway Development Strategy 2000, which provides a blueprint for the next phase of railway development, includes a number of new railway schemes to meet Hong Kong's increasing transport needs in a sustainable manner over the next two decades.

Hong Kong's railway development has progressed rapidly during the past few years. About $100 billion has been invested in eight railway projects. They are:

• the Tseung Kwan O Line (commissioned in August 2002);

• the West Rail Line (commissioned in December 2003);

• the East Rail Line Tsim Sha Tsui Extension (commissioned in October 2004);

⚫ the Ma On Shan Line (commissioned in December 2004);

⚫ the Disneyland Resort Line (commissioned in August 2005);

• the extension of the East Rail Line to Lok Ma Chau (commissioned in August 2007);

⚫ the LOHAS Park Station of Tseung Kwan O Line (commissioned in July 2009);

and

⚫ the Kowloon Southern Link (commissioned in August 2009).

The West Island Line commenced construction in 2009.

In addition, the Shatin to Central Link, the Kwun Tong Line Extension, the South Island Line (East), the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Northern Link and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Express Line are in the planning stage while the South Island Line (West) and North Hong Kong Island Line are under review.

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