Minicars, Maglevs, and Mopeds: Modern Modes of Transportation Around the World by Sultana Selima; Weber Joe; Weber Joe

Author:Sultana, Selima; Weber, Joe; Weber, Joe
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 4460207
Publisher: ABC-CLIO, LLC

MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, HONG KONG (CHINA)

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is the metro railway system in Hong Kong, operated by MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL). As of 2014, the MTR system has 135 miles of underground and ground-level railways, and 154 stations. The achievement of MTR has been noticeable. In 2001, MTR’s total route of 55 miles already covered 41 percent of the total population within one-third of a mile of the MTR station catchment area. According to the 2013 patronage data, MTR comprised 47 percent of public transportation in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a world-class city and one of the leading global financial centers and traffic hubs. More than 7.2 million people live in the small area of the hilly inland and large number of islands. Residence is concentrated in the 860-square-mile urbanized area of its 3,600-square-mile territory, thus the population density is extremely high. Additionally, the highly developed central business district (CBD) with its skyscrapers concentrated around Victoria Harbor has created tremendous traffic. To handle the traffic, the transportation policy in Hong Kong has focused on developing a mass-transit system and restricting private car use.

To improve the mobility of people and goods in Hong Kong, construction of the MTR began in 1970—a decision based on several reports suggesting the construction of an urban rapid-transit railway network. After modification of the initial plan of MTR, the Kwun Tong Line in 1979 began service between Kwun Tong and Shek Kip Mei. In 1982, the Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR)—another government-owned railway company serving the commuting railway connection to the New Territories and Mainland China—was electrified to offer heavy rail commuting service to the suburbanized New Territories. In 2000, the MTRCL was privatized and merged with KCR in 2007. The single-fare system arising from the merger reduced charges for passengers.

The MTR lines connect the CBD along Victoria Harbor with residential districts and new towns in Hong Kong. The Kwun Tong Line connects east and west Kowloon. The Tsuen Wan Line runs through Victoria Harbor, Nathan Road, and the densely populated Sham Shui Po area. The Island Line runs through the business center along the northern Hong Kong Island. The Tung Chung Line runs between Tung Chung on the northwestern coast of Lantau Island and the CBD, which offers railway service for Tung Chung, a town recently built near the new Hong Kong International Airport. The Airport Express Line provides express connection between Hong Kong International Airport and the CBD. The Tseung Kwan O Line assists connection between the Kwun Tong Line and the Island Line by passing the Eastern Harbor Crossing tunnel. The East Rail provides connection service with Shenzhen in Mainland China. The Ma On Shan Line supports mass transit for the new town of Ma On Shan. The West Rail connects the northwestern New Territories with Kowloon. Light Rail also offers 12 different tram service routes in the new towns of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, which are connected with the West Rail.

The MTR network has been extending to areas not served by the regular railway system.

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