Page:HKFactSheet Railway 122006.pdf/2

 between Central and the Peak. Beginning operation in 1888, it operates at a gradient ranging from four to 27 degrees, and is one of the popular tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

Railway Projects under implementation: There are three new railway projects under construction, namely, the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (Spur Line), Kowloon Southern Link (KSL) and Tseung Kwan O South Station. The Spur Line and KSL are KCRC's projects while the Tseung Kwan O South Station is MTRCL's project.

Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (Spur Line): The Spur Line is about 7.4-kilometre long and will connect the existing KCR East Rail Sheung Shui Station to a new terminus at Lok Ma Chau. It will connect to a new boundary crossing at Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang to relieve the increasingly congested Lo Wu crossing. The Spur Line is expected to be completed by mid 2007.

Kowloon Southern Link (KSL): The 3.8-kilometre long KSL is an extension of West Rail from its Nam Cheong Station to the East Rail East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and includes an intermediate station at West Kowloon. Upon its completion which is scheduled in 2009, the one million population in the Northwest New Territories will have a direct railway access to urban Kowloon areas without a need for any railway interchange.

Tseung Kwan O South Station: The project will extend the Tseung Kwan O Line with a branch from Tseung Kwan O Station to Tseung Kwan O South Station. The project is expected to be completed in 2009.

Railway Projects under Planning or Review: The Railway Development Strategy 2000 announced in May 2000 aims to meet the increasing transport needs due to Hong Kong's population growth, continued developments and strengthened links with the Mainland, in a sustainable manner. It maps out a blueprint for the further expansion of Hong Kong's railway network. This involves a total investment of some $100 billion to complete six new passenger railway projects and a Port Rail Line subject to traffic growth and project interfaces. The six new passenger railways are: Shatin to Central Link; West Island Line; South Island Line; North Hong Kong Island Line; Kowloon Southern Link and Northern Link/Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express Rail Link. The works for the Kowloon Southern Link have commenced.

Upon the completion of the various railway projects under the Railway Development Strategy, Hong Kong's railway network will expand to about 300 kilometres. The railway share in the public transport system will be boosted from about 35 per cent now to about 45 per cent.

Shatin to Central Link (SCL): The SCL, which comprises the East Kowloon Line, Tai Wai to Diamond Hill Link and the Fourth Rail Harbour Crossing, is a new rail corridor from Tai Wai to Central. Subsequent to an open-tender exercise, KCRC was awarded the right to build and operate this rail link in 2002. The project is being reviewed in the context of the impending merger of the two railway systems and the development of the Kai Tak Planning Review.

West Island Line (WIL): The WIL is an extension of the MTR from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town. The MTRCL has completed the preliminary design and submitted the Revised Project Proposal in August 2006 which is being considered by the Government.

South Island Line (SIL): The SIL is an extension of the MTR to Southern District. The Government is looking at the impact of the proposed railway services on other public transport modes. The Government will consider the way forward for the proposed SIL with due regard to public views and in light of the results of the above study.

North Hong Kong Island Line (NIL): The NIL will provide an additional rail corridor along the new north shore of Hong Kong Island between the MTR Hong Kong Station and Fortress Hill Station.

Northern Link/Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (NOL/ERL): The NOL will connect the West Rail Kam Sheung Road Station to the Lok Ma Chau boundary crossing with an intermediate interchange with the Spur Line for accessing Sheung Shui. The ERL runs from a new terminus at West Kowloon to the boundary at Lok Ma Chau for connection with the Mainland section of the ERL. The KCRC is now embarking on a consultancy study and preliminary site investigations of the NOL and the Hong Kong section of the ERL. The KCRC will submit the study report to the Government by mid 2007.

Port Rail Line (PRL): The PRL is a planned freight rail connection from Lo Wu, via either West Rail or East Rail, to a new port rail terminal at KwaiChung [sic].