Future projects of the MTR

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Proposed future network of the Hong Kong MTR in the Railway Development Strategy 2014. Hk-rds2014-wikipedia.png
Proposed future network of the Hong Kong MTR in the Railway Development Strategy 2014.

Several future projects on the MTR have been put forward by the MTR Corporation to the Hong Kong Government. Some of these are still in planning stage.

Contents

With the rail merger with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation in 2007, the combined network increased to 211.6 kilometres (131.5 mi) and 84 stations. Committed and future railway projects have increased the network to over 270 kilometres (170 mi) and 98 stations today while the rest of the projects may further increase it to over 540 kilometres (340 mi).

Current plans

New lines

The Northern Link is a 10.7 km rapid transit line that once completed, will create a new railway corridor between the Tuen Ma line and the East Rail line in northern New Territories. This project consists of two phases; the first with the opening of Kwu Tung station and the second involves the construction of the Northern Link main line, 3 new stations and the expansion of the existing Kam Sheung Road station. The termini of the line will be Kwu Tung station and Kam Sheung Road station. The completion of both phases was estimated to cost HK$62 billion in 2015. [1] [2]

There were concerns on the business viability of the Northern Link without substantial housing developments in the New Territories to assist in building costs, which were examined under the Railway Development Strategy 2013. However, it was approved with the government's plan to develop the area into a New Development Area; Kwu Tung station will be commissioned in 2027, [3] while construction of the Northern Link is scheduled to start in 2025 and end in 2034. [4]

In the 2022 Chief Executive's policy address, a new railway line would be built to connect Kam Tin with Kowloon Tong through Kwai Chung to relieve capacity from the Tuen Ma line. It would act as an extension of the Northern Link and interchange at Kowloon Tong station. [3]

The deputy chairman of the Legco subcommittee on railway affairs, Gary Zhang, added that the Tuen Ma line alone could not provide the capacity needed for commuters travelling from the planned Northern Metropolis to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. [5]

Line extensions and new stations

Tung Chung line extension

The Tung Chung line extension has two elements; The first, a 1.3 km westward extension from the existing Tung Chung line western terminus Tung Chung station for a new terminus, the Tung Chung West station and the construction of an infill station, Tung Chung East station in between the existing Tung Chung and Sunny Bay stations.

In January 2023, John Lee and the Executive Council authorised the Tung Chung Line Extension project. Its construction commenced in 2023, while the cost of the two new stations, Tung Chung East and Tung Chung West, are expected to cost HK$24.2 billion. [6] [7] The contract for the extension was recently awarded to British engineering companies Arup and Atkins. This extension is expected to be complete by 2029.

Oyster Bay station

Oyster Bay station, previously Siu Ho Wan station, is a planned infill station that will be situated in between Sunny Bay station and the future Tung Chung East station. It is expected to open with the Siu Ho Wan Depot Topside Property Development Package 1. The station will be part of the Tung Chung line. It is expected to open in 2030. [8]

Tuen Ma line extension

Hung Shui Kiu station

Remaining section of the Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel

The remaining section of the Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel (AREOT), [9] around 500 metres long, will be built eastwards of Hong Kong station for overrun tracks. This will allow Tung Chung line and Airport Express trains to turn around, allowing the trains to easily switch directions, enhancing the potential frequency of operation. The project is expected to extend the track length by an additional 1.5 kilometers. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and finish in 2032.

In March 2022, MTR announced the planning and design contract had been awarded to British consultancy firm Mott MacDonald. [10]

Proposals

Line extensions and new stations

Science Park/Pak Shek Kok station

Science Park station is a proposed infill station along the East Rail line located between University and Tai Po Market stations.

Tseung Kwan O Line Southern Extension

In the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address, it was announced that the Tseung Kwan O line would be extended southwards to Tseung Kwan O Area 137, an 80 hectare plot of land the Development Bureau has identified suitable for the development of 50,000 new housing units. Area 137 is expected to take in new populations in 2030, but there has been no expected timeline for the completion of the extensions or the opening of the new station. [11] [12]

New lines

South Island line (West)

Alignment of the latest scheme (December 2007) of West Island line and South Island line. South Island Line and West Island Line proposal.svg
Alignment of the latest scheme (December 2007) of West Island line and South Island line.

On 21 January 2003, the Executive Council of Hong Kong granted MTR Corporation Limited permission to proceed with further planning on two proposed lines: West Island line and South Island line. These new lines were suggested in the Second Railway Development Study and the Railway Development Strategy 2014 report. [13] to provide direct links between the residential areas of Wah Fu and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District and the CBD of Hong Kong. This was the first project within the MTR network that serves the Southern District. [14]

Three proposals were previously submitted, each addressing the drawbacks of the prior plan. The plans were turned down by the government in favour of constructing highways in late March 2004. The MTRC's fourth proposal was given in February 2005. This consisted of a westward extension of the Island line (referred to as West Island line in early planning) and the South Island line (East), which would be connected to the South Island line (West) at HKU station and Wong Chuk Hang station, respectively.

The South Island line (East), currently simply referred to as the South Island line, opened on 28 December 2016. [15]

Plans for the South Island Line (West) were mentioned and revised in the 2014 governmental railway strategy report and an "implementation window" of 2022 to 2026 was identified. [14] A proposal for South Island line (West) was submitted by MTR to the Government of Hong Kong in December 2020. [16] [17] As of 2022, there is no schedule for construction.

North Island line

Alignment of North Island line North Island Line proposal interchange.svg
Alignment of North Island line

This would link the Tung Chung line (Hong Kong station) and the Tseung Kwan O line (at North Point). There is currently no schedule for construction.

East Kowloon line

The original scheme of the East Kowloon line would connect Diamond Hill station via Hung Hom station to Sheung Wan station. It was refined and merged into what is today known as the East West Corridor without crossing the harbour to Sheung Wan.

In 2014, another railway scheme of the same name was unveiled by the government which would provide metro service in the opposite direction to Po Lam station, HKUST Station, via Sau Mau Ping. The 2014 railway development strategy recommended the new line should begin construction in 2019 and be finished in 2025. [14] However, construction has yet to begin and there is no schedule for construction.

Tung Chung to Tai O Light Rail System

In December 2017, CEDD hired a consultant to study the possibility of a light rail link between Tung Chung station and Tai O Fishing Village on Lantau Island. The light rail will go around Tung Chung, the airport and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge and will take only 15 minutes to make the trip, opposed to the 45 minute bus ride along a small, winding road from Tung Chung or Mui Wo. The estimated cost of this proposal is HK$15 billion. The consultancy was expected to be completed within the year 2019. LegCo Transport Panel member Michael Tien [18] said as light rail systems run on overhead lines, it would have a light environmental footprint. [19] [20]

As of 2022, there is no schedule for its construction.

Cable Car System from Ngong Ping to Tai O

In March 2019, CEDD released an executive study outlining an option of the proposed Cable Car extending from Ngong Ping village to Tai O. This proposal was suggested to be run by Hong Kong MTR.

Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Express Railway

Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Express Railway is a proposed cross-border railway offering three future distinct services, Hong Kong International Airport – Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport direct connection, Hung Shui Kiu–Qianhai cross border services and domestic service between Tuen Mun and Siu Ho Wan.

Lantau Tomorrow Vision

The Lantau Tomorrow Vision plan involves creating direct railway links from the Kau Yi Chau artificial islands to Hong Kong Island West, North Lantau and coastal areas of Tuen Mun. [21]

The latest plan calls for a rail link from HKU and Kennedy Town station to the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, before then going to Sunny Bay and connecting with Tuen Mun East and Hung Shui Kiu. A "Green Mass Transit System" is also proposed to be built within the islands. [22]

Other stations

Other studied areas for expansion include:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Kong Island</span> Second largest island in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of Hong Kong. Known colloquially and on road signs simply as Hong Kong, the island had a population of 1,289,500 and a population density of 16,390 per square kilometre (42,400/sq mi), as of 2008. The island had a population of about 3,000 inhabitants scattered in a dozen fishing villages when it was occupied by the United Kingdom in the First Opium War (1839–1842). In 1842, the island was formally ceded in perpetuity to the UK under the Treaty of Nanking and the City of Victoria was then established on the island by the British Force in honour of Queen Victoria. The Central area on the island is the historical, political and economic centre of Hong Kong. The northern coast of the island forms the southern shore of the Victoria Harbour, which is largely responsible for the development of Hong Kong due to its deep waters favoured by large trade ships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTR</span> Rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong

The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is a major public transport network serving Hong Kong. Operated by the MTR Corporation (MTRCL), it consists of heavy rail, light rail, and feeder bus service centred on a 10-line rapid transit network serving the urbanised areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. The system included 245.3 km (152.4 mi) of rail as of December 2022 with 179 stations, including 99 heavy rail stations, 68 light rail stops and 1 high-speed rail terminus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsuen Wan line</span> Hong Kong MTR railway line

The Tsuen Wan line is one of the ten lines of the metro network in Hong Kong's MTR. It is indicated in red on the MTR map.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwun Tong line</span> Hong Kong MTR railway line

The Kwun Tong line is a rapid transit line of the MTR network in Hong Kong, coloured green on the MTR map. Starting at Whampoa in Hung Hom and ending at Tiu Keng Leng in Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung, the route has 17 stations and takes 35 minutes to complete. The Kwun Tong line is one of the busiest railway lines on the network connecting the central and the eastern portions of Kowloon via Wong Tai Sin. The line is mostly underground, but includes a lengthy elevated section, and runs generally in an east-west direction. During the morning rush hour, the Kwun Tong line utilises 33 trains running at 29tph to achieve a route capacity of 85,000 pphpd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tung Chung line</span> Hong Kong MTR railway line

The Tung Chung line is one of the ten lines of the MTR system in Hong Kong, linking the town of Tung Chung with central Hong Kong. A part of the Tung Chung line was built along with the Kap Shui Mun Bridge and the Tsing Ma Bridge. The line currently travels through eight stations in 31 minutes along its route. The line is indicated in orange on the MTR map.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Rail line</span> Former Hong Kong railway line

The West Rail line was a rapid transit line that formed part of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system in Hong Kong until 27 June 2021. Coloured magenta on the MTR map, the line ran from Tuen Mun to Hung Hom, with a total length of 35.7 kilometres (22.2 mi), in 37 minutes. The railway connected the urban area of Kowloon and the new towns of Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun in the northwestern New Territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kam Sheung Road station</span> MTR station in the New Territories, Hong Kong

Kam Sheung Road is an MTR station on the Tuen Ma line, located between Pat Heung and Kam Tin in Hong Kong. It is situated between Tsuen Wan West and Yuen Long stations. Kam Sheung Road was the arena for the KCR West Rail's opening ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Tsim Sha Tsui station</span> MTR interchange station in Kowloon, Hong Kong

East Tsim Sha Tsui is a station of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system of Hong Kong. It is currently an intermediate station on the Tuen Ma line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Po Lam</span> Neighbourhood in northern Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong

Po Lam is a neighbourhood in northern Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon. An MTR station with the same name, Tseung Kwan O Village, Yau Yue Wan Village, King Lam Estate, and Po Lam Estate are located there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamar station</span> Proposed MTR interchange station on Hong Kong Island

Tamar is a station on MTR's shelved North Island line (NIL) proposal on the north shore of Hong Kong Island. It will be located on the former site of HMS Tamar on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Tamar station will be the eastern terminus of the Tung Chung line and the western terminus of the Tseung Kwan O line. It will also act as a transfer station between the two lines.

East Kowloon line was one of the original five MTR lines proposed in the late 1970s in Hong Kong, which would have connected Sheung Wan with East Kowloon.

The North Island line is a shelved proposal to provide rapid transit service for the area between the existing MTR Island line and the northern coast of Hong Kong Island in order to relieve the already congested Island line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuen Ma line</span> Hong Kong MTR railway line

The Tuen Ma lineis a rapid transit line that forms part of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system in Hong Kong. Coloured brown on the map, the Tuen Ma line is 56.2 kilometres (34.9 mi) in length, making it the longest line of the MTR network. It has a total of 27 stations, more than any other in the MTR system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Land reclamation in Hong Kong</span> Reclamation of land

The reclamation of land from the ocean has long been used in mountainous Hong Kong to expand the limited supply of usable land with a total of around 60 square kilometres of land created by 1996. The first reclamations can be traced back to the early Western Han dynasty, when beaches were turned into fields for salt production. Major land reclamation projects have been conducted since the mid-19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Hong Kong</span> Trains in the Special Administrative Region

Hong Kong's rail network mainly comprises public transport trains operated by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRC). The MTRC operates the metro network of the territory, the commuter rail network connecting the northeastern, northwestern and southwestern New Territories to the urban areas, and a light rail network in northwestern New Territories. The operations of the territory's two leading railway companies, MTRC and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), were merged in 2007 on grounds of economies of scale and cost effectiveness. The Hong Kong Government has an explicit stated transport policy of using railways as its transport backbone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New towns of Hong Kong</span> Newly developed towns in the 20th century

The Hong Kong government started developing new towns in the 1950s to accommodate Hong Kong's booming population. During the first phase of development, the newly developed towns were called "satellite towns", a concept borrowed from the United Kingdom, of which Hong Kong was a colony. Kwun Tong, located in eastern Kowloon, and Tsuen Wan, located in the south-west of the New Territories, were designated as the first satellite towns, when the urban area in Hong Kong was still relatively small, restricted to the central and western parts of Kowloon Peninsula and the northern side of Hong Kong Island. Wah Fu Estate was also built in a remote corner on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, with similar concepts but at a smaller scale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Kowloon line</span> Proposed Hong Kong metro route

The East Kowloon line is a proposed Hong Kong rapid transit line that would run from Diamond Hill to Tseung Kwan O New Town. The route would pass through the hilly Sau Mau Ping residential area, which is not directly served by any local railway service at present. The scheme was first revealed by the Hong Kong Government in the "Railway Development Strategy 2014", published September 2014. The project is related to the government-led redevelopment of the East Kowloon area as well as planned residential development in the Anderson Road/Sau Mau Ping district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oyster Bay station (MTR)</span> Future MTR station in the New Territories, Hong Kong

Oyster Bay, previously known as Siu Ho Wan in proposals, is an MTR station on the Tung Chung line to be constructed southwest of Siu Ho Wan depot in Siu Ho Wan, on Lantau Island. The station will be built at-grade around existing Tung Chung line tracks. The construction of the station was gazetted by the Hong Kong Government in June 2021. The station is expected to open for service in 2030, with the depot remaining in use.

References

  1. ↑ 2023 Interim Results (PDF) (Report). MTR Corporation. 10 August 2023. p. 12. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Shum, Michael; Cheung, Jane (17 December 2020). "MTR Northern Link project gets go-ahead". The Standard.
  3. 1 2 Lee, Peter (19 October 2022). "Hong Kong Policy Address: New rail link among 6 major infrastructure projects, public subsidty extended". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Project Timeline - MTR Northern Link Project". mtrnorthernlink.hk. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  5. ↑ Preston, Robert (28 October 2022). "Hong Kong gives priority to Tseung Kwan O Southern Extension". International railway Journal. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  6. ↑ 2023 Interim Results (PDF) (Report). MTR Corporation. 10 August 2023. p. 12. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Burroughs, David (2 June 2023). "Construction of Tung Chung Line Extension begins". International Railway Journal . Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Siu Ho Wan Station and Siu Ho Wan Depot Replanning Works – Executive Summary" (PDF). Environmental Protection Department of the Government of Hong Kong. July 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  9. ↑ "MTR > Network Improvements". www.mtr.com.hk. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "Planning and Preliminary Design Works of Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel Commences" (PDF) (Press release). MTR Corporation. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Liu, Oscar (24 October 2022). "Hong Kong Authorities to prioritise Tseung Kwan O rail line's extension over other mega projects, but no timeline yet for new plans' completion". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  12. ↑ Lee, Peter (19 October 2022). "Hong Kong Policy Address: New rail link among 6 major infrastructure projects, public transport subsidy extended". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  13. ↑ Second Railway Development Study (RDS-2) (PDF) (Report). Transport Bureau, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. May 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2006.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Railway Development Strategy 2014 (PDF) (Report). Transport and Housing Bureau. September 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2015.
  15. ↑ "Launch date set for Hong Kong MTR's new South Island Line". South China Morning Post . 5 December 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Annual Report 2021: Excellence in Motion" (PDF). MTR Corporation. 10 March 2022. p. 26. Retrieved 18 August 2022. We MTR Corporation also continue to discuss with Government our proposal for the South Island Line (West), which was submitted in December 2020.
  17. ↑ "Economy revival fears over major delays to Hong Kong rail projects". South China Morning Post. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  18. ↑ "Panel on Transport (Membership) 2017-2018". Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
  19. ↑ "大嶼山輕軌方案 最快後年完成評估" [Lantau LRT project to complete assessment as soon as next year]. Sing Tao Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  20. ↑ "CEDD studying light rail link to Tai O". Lantau News. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "LCQ5: Lantau Tomorrow Vision". Government of Hong Kong. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  22. ↑ "Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands". www.centralwaters.hk. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  23. ↑ Railway Development Strategy 2014 (PDF) (Report). September 2014. pp. 71–74.
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