83-432: The Kowloon Southern link is a section of the MTR East Rail and Tuen Ma line linking Nam Cheong station and Hung Hom station . The rail link is fully underground, lies along the south-west coastline of Kowloon Peninsula , east of rail tracks of the Tung Chung line and Airport Express . Kowloon Southern Link has one underground intermediate station called Austin station (formerly West Kowloon station). It
166-647: A different, unsustainable model where property is used to subsidise operations and the construction of new stations. The position of Chief Executive was created in 1995. On 5 October 2000 the operator of the MTR network, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC), became Hong Kong's first rail company to be partially privatised , marking the beginning of the Hong Kong government's initiative to reduce its interests in public utilities. Prior to its listing on
249-558: A lesser extent, Tsuen Wan New Town , were revised downwards, and the plan for a new town in Tseung Kwan O was shelved. In this updated scenario, the consultants reduced the scale of the recommended system. The supplementary report stated that the originally suggested four tracks between Admiralty station and Mong Kok station should be reduced to two, and only parts of the Island line, Tsuen Wan line, and Kwun Tong line should be constructed for
332-460: A non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Hong Kong government , the owner of Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation , to merge the operation of the two railway networks in Hong Kong in spite of the strong opposition of KCRC staff. The minority shareholders of the corporation approved the proposal at an extraordinary general meeting on 9 October 2007, allowing MTRCL to take over the operation of
415-788: A total cost of construction (not adjusted for inflation) of HK$ 4.1 billion (US$ 526 million). The plan was modified from that in the 1970 report Hong Kong Mass Transit: Further Studies , with Kwai Chung station, Lap Sap Wan station, and a planned depot in Kwai Chung next to Lap Sap Wan station being replaced by stations in Kwai Hing and Kwai Fong and a depot in Tsuen Wan. Several stations also had names different to that during planning: So Uk station became Cheung Sha Wan , Cheung Sha Wan became Lai Chi Kok , and Lai Chi Kok became Lai Wan (later renamed Mei Foo ). When service of this line started,
498-757: A transfer is made between Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui stations, where two tickets are required. Student discounts on Octopus Card were also issued. The MTR system has been extended numerous times since the railway merger. Relevant projects include the LOHAS Park spur line (2009), the Kowloon Southern Link (2009), the West Island line (2014), the Kwun Tong line extension (2016), the South Island line (2016), Tuen Ma line Phase 1 (2020) and Phase 2 (2021) and
581-627: 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 services , centred around a 10-line rapid transit network, serving the urbanised areas of Hong Kong Island , Kowloon , and the New Territories . The system encompasses 245.3 km (152.4 mi) of railways, as of December 2022, with 179 stations—including 99 heavy rail stations , 68 light rail stops and 1 high-speed rail terminus. Under
664-623: Is a planned extension of the Tseung Kwan O line that will interchange at the future Tamar station with the Tung Chung line. It will alleviate traffic in the northern part of Hong Kong Island. There will be three new stations: Tamar , Exhibition Centre (which will be an interchange between the North Island line and the North South Corridor), and Causeway Bay North . There is currently no proposed construction time for this line, however in
747-678: Is a subsidiary of MTR Corporation UK based in Stockholm that operates in the public transportation sector through various subsidiaries. The CEO of MTR Nordic is Henrik Dahlin. Current Operations (ending November 2025): Former Operations: The company has also formed a joint-venture Beijing MTR Corporation Limited (Jinggang MTR) (49%) with Beijing Capital Group ("BCG") (49%) and the Beijing Infrastructure Investment Co ("BIIC") (2%) to build and operate for 30 years Line 4 , Daxing line , Line 14 , Line 16 and Line 17 of
830-526: Is also easily accessible by other transport means including buses and taxis . Other shopping centres developed and managed by the corporation include CityLink , Elements , Hanford Plaza, Ocean Walk, Paradise Mall , Plaza Ascot, Sun Tuen Mun Shopping Centre, Telford Plaza , The Lane , the LOHAS , and Luk Yeung Galleria . As of 2023, MTR Corporation owns 13 shopping malls across Hong Kong, classified into luxury, regional, and neighbourhood malls. MTR Nordic AB
913-666: Is available only when there are two continuous stations shared as interchange stations by two lines. Two major works were undertaken to ease interchange between the Kwun Tong line and East Rail line. The modification of Kowloon Tong station started in June 2001. A new pedestrian link to Kowloon Tong station southern concourse and a new entrance (Exit D) opened on 15 April 2004 to cope with the increase in interchange passenger flow. Modification to Tsim Sha Tsui station involved upgrading station facilities and concourse layout to facilitate access from
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#1732844370473996-550: Is expected to be complete in 2030. The East Kowloon line is planned to serve the East Kowloon area to Tseung Kwan O New Town via the hilly Sau Mau Ping residential area. The South Island line (West) was part of the same original proposal as the South Island line, and would connect HKU to Wong Chuk Hang around the west coast of Hong Kong Island, however, construction has not started as of 2024 . The North Island line
1079-542: Is in current planning) by the Hong Kong government. It would help to connect planned population centres isolated in the New Territories with Kowloon and Hong Kong. Construction of Kwu Tung station began in 29 September 2023, and is expected to be completed in 2027, while construction of the Northern Link is expected to begin in 2025 and is scheduled to commence service in 2034. The Tung Chung line extension will extend
1162-630: Is listed on the Hong Kong Exchange and is a component of the Hang Seng Index . The MTR additionally invests in railways across different parts of the world, including franchised contracts to operate rapid transit systems in London , Stockholm , Beijing , Hangzhou , Macao , Shenzhen , Sydney , and a suburban rail system in Melbourne . The Mass Transit Railway Corporation ( Chinese : 地下鐵路公司 )
1245-686: Is located adjacent to the Canton Road Government Offices , close to Kowloon station of Tung Chung line and Airport Express. However, the structures do not provide a direct transfer between the two stations. The project was originally proposed and carried out by Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) to link the KCR West Rail that terminated at Nam Cheong station to the KCR East Rail at Hung Hom station. The tracks between Hung Hom and East Tsim Sha Tsui station had opened in 2004 as
1328-460: Is one of the main businesses of the MTR, generating most of its profits. In 2009, with a net profit of HK$ 7.3 billion, MTR made HK$ 3.55 billion from property and HK$ 2.12 billion from transport operations. The MTR tries to develop suitable sites related to their new railway projects and their existing railway. For instance, the reclaimed land situated in West Kowloon owned by the MTR
1411-479: Is the PopCorn mall located at Tseung Kwan O station . It is connected to the adjacent malls, high-end housing and hotels. Another example of such a shopping centre is Maritime Square located at Tsing Yi station . Maritime Square is a nautical-themed mall in which there are supermarkets, boutiques , bookstores, a cinema, and restaurants. Since Tsing Yi station serves as the transport hub for Tsing Yi , Maritime Square
1494-477: Is the second most popular means of transport to the airport after buses. In 2012, it had a 21.8 per cent of share of the traffic to and from the airport. However, this has declined from a peak of 32 per cent in 1999. The Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works extended the Hong Kong Island end of the Kwun Tong line from Quarry Bay to North Point via a pair of 2.1-kilometre (1.3 mi) tunnels. The project
1577-575: The Beijing Subway . The company formed a new joint-venture Hangzhou MTR (Hanggang MTR) with Hangzhou Metro Group in 2012 to operate Line 1 of the Hangzhou Metro for 28 years, in which MTR holds 49% of the stock, while Hangzhou Metro Group holds the other 51% of the stock. Line 5 of the Hangzhou Metro is operated by Hangzhou MTR Line 5 Ltd., which MTR holds 60% of the stock. The company concluded initials concession agreement to build phase 2 of
1660-596: The East Rail line , phase two of the Sha Tin to Central Link (SCL) from Hung Hom station to Admiralty station across Victoria Harbour was completed and opened on 15 May 2022. An intermediate station was opened at Exhibition Centre . The Tuen Mun South extension on the Tuen Ma line is a proposed 2.4-kilometre (1.5 mi) extension to a new western terminus, Tuen Mun South, near Tuen Mun Ferry Pier . The extension will extend
1743-529: The East Rail line extension (2022). The LOHAS Park Spur Line is an extension of the Tseung Kwan O line , splitting off after Tseung Kwan O station . It serves the new residential development of LOHAS Park (formerly "Dream City"), a 3,550,000-square-foot (330,000 m ) estate with fifty residential towers. The project is divided into 9 to 13 phases and is about halfway complete as of 2016. These high rises sit above LOHAS Park station , which opened on 26 July 2009. The West Island line , first put forward to
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#17328443704731826-594: The East Tsim Sha Tsui station via its pedestrian links. New entrances to the subway links were opened on 19 September 2004 (Exit G) and 30 March 2005 (Exit F), with the whole scheme completed in May 2005. The Disneyland Resort line , previously known as Penny's Bay Rail Link, provides service to the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort station which was opened on 12 September 2005. Services to Sunny Bay station on
1909-740: The Hong Kong Mass Transport Study . In 1972, the Hong Kong government authorised construction of the Initial System , a 20-kilometre (12 mi) system that roughly translates to today's Kwun Tong line between Kwun Tong and Prince Edward, Tsuen Wan line between Mei Foo and Admiralty, and Island line between Sheung Wan and Admiralty. The Mass Transit Steering Committee, chaired by the Financial Secretary Philip Haddon-Cave , began negotiations with four major construction consortia in 1973. The government's intention
1992-627: The Hong Kong Stock Exchange , the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) was wholly owned by the Hong Kong government. MTR Corporation is responsible for the operation of MTR (and the Kowloon–Canton Railway since 2 December 2007). The rail lines are profitable, but the MTR Corporation derives most of its profits from property development (usually adjacent to railway stations) and other commercial activities in Hong Kong, including
2075-684: The KCR network and combine the fare system of the two networks on 2 December 2007. On 2 December 2007 the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) granted a 50-year service concession (which may be extended) of the KCR network to MTRCL, in return for making annual payments to KCRC, thereby merging the railway operations of the two corporations under MTRCL's management. At the same time MTRCL changed its Chinese name from "地下鐵路有限公司" (Subway Limited Company) to "香港鐵路有限公司" (Hong Kong Railway Limited Company), but left its English name unchanged; at
2158-517: The Line 4 of the Shenzhen Metro , and to operate the whole line on a BOT basis for 30 years from 1 July 2010. The phase 2 of Line 4 have been in operation for passengers since 16 June 2011. Line 13 , which is currently under construction, is also confirmed to be operated by MTR Corporation (Shenzhen). MTR Railway Operations (Macau) Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation, operates
2241-519: The Octopus smart card fare-payment technology into the MTR system in September 1997 has further enhanced the ease of commuting. During the 1960s, the government of Hong Kong saw a need to accommodate increasing road traffic as Hong Kong's economy grew rapidly. In 1966, British transport consultants Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates were appointed to study the transport system of Hong Kong. The study
2324-519: The Tseung Kwan O line (called the Tseung Kwan O extension line in the planning stage) was approved on 18 August 1998 to serve the growing Tseung Kwan O New Town. Construction began on 24 April 1999 and the line officially opened in 2002. It took over the existing Kwun Tong line tracks running through the Eastern Harbour Tunnel , so that the full line stretches from Po Lam to North Point. When
2407-642: The Tsim Sha Tsui Extension , to alleviate surface traffic jams and congestion at Kowloon Tong station caused by passengers transferring between the KCR East Rail and the MTR by acting as a second interchange between the two system. Construction of the Kowloon Southern Link began in late 2005 by the KCRC, after the company's network was taken over by MTR Corporation Limited (MTRC) on 2 December 2007,
2490-478: The Tung Chung line to the west by approximately 1.3 kilometres. Two new stations will also be built, namely; Tung Chung West and Tung Chung East , with Tung Chung West serving as the new terminus of the Tung Chung line. Construction began on 25 May 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2029. The Oyster Bay station is a planned infill station between Sunny Bay station and the future Tung Chung East station . It
2573-420: The government's rail-led transport policy, the MTR system is a common mode of public transport in Hong Kong , with over five and a half million trips made on an average weekday consistently achieving a 99.9% punctuality rate on its arrivals and departures. As of 2018, the MTR has a 49.3% share of the franchised public transport market, making it the most popular transport option in Hong Kong. The integration of
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2656-851: The "Rail + Property" development model was originally formed to offset unexpected financial difficulties with creating the original MTR lines, with original estimates that MTR's property would account for approximately 20 per cent of its total revenue. The Executive Council also determined that since MTR had to apply for land grants from the government, it was the government's decision on how land above MTR stations should be allocated, stating "the grant of comprehensive development rights on land affected by railway installations will be discretionary". Land above stations would not necessarily be used to build private housing to maximize MTR's revenue, but could be used to solve issues of housing in Hong Kong , such as by developing public housing instead. The Executive Council also noted that "revenue from property development
2739-548: The KCR system. In addition, MTRCL would make a payment of $ 7.79 billion for the acquisition of property and other related commercial interests. The KCRC's lines were less profitable than those of the MTRC, and the KCRC was less active in property development. It was widely considered that the government's choice was to avoid being criticised for selling assets of the KCRC, which it wholly owned, to MTRCL for an unreasonably low price. Leasing
2822-413: The Kwun Tong line. This forecast proved to be accurate, necessitating a bypass from the northwestern New Territories to Hong Kong Island . The Tung Chung line was therefore launched in 1998 with an interchange station at Lai King for that purpose. Although land acquisitions were made for a station at Tsuen Wan West (near Tsuen King Circuit ), beyond Tsuen Wan station, as part of the Tsuen Wan branch,
2905-861: The Legislative Council passed legislation setting up the government-owned Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) to replace the Mass Transport Provisional Authority, the Mass Transit Railway Ordinance . Construction of the system began on 11 November 1975. The northern section was completed on 30 September 1979 and was opened on 1 October 1979 by Governor Murray MacLehose . Trains on this route ran from Shek Kip Mei to Kwun Tong in Phase 1, Tsim Sha Tsui to Kwun Tong in Phase 2 in December 1979, and Chater to Kwun Tong in
2988-545: The MTR. The first section of the Tuen Ma line , an extension of the former Ma On Shan line connecting Tai Wai via Hin Keng and Diamond Hill to Kai Tak station , opened on 14 February 2020. The second and final section of the line was completed and opened on 27 June 2021, linking the previously opened Tuen Ma Line Phase One and the West Rail Line together connecting from Kai Tak station to Hung Hom station . An extension of
3071-599: The MTRC to build a train line, then known as the Lantau Airport Railway, to the airport. Construction started in November 1994, after the Chinese and British governments settled their financial and land disagreements. The new line was included in the financing plans of the new Hong Kong International Airport as the airport was not considered viable without direct public transport links. Construction costs were also shared by
3154-472: The MTRC, which was granted many large-scale developments in the construction plans for the new stations. The Lantau Airport Railway included two MTR lines, the Tung Chung line and the Airport Express. The Tung Chung line was officially opened on 21 June 1998 by Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa , and service commenced the next day. The Airport Express opened for service on 6 July 1998 along with
3237-543: The MTRCL was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 5 October 2000, however, the government is still the majority stakeholder in the MTRCL. On 11 September 2000, the financial secretary of the Hong Kong Government , Sir Donald Tsang , announced the partial privatisation of MTR Corporation Limited. The offering was for one billion shares , but this was increased to 1.15 billion due to high demand. On 5 October 2000,
3320-569: The Mass Transit Steering Group was replaced by the Mass Transport Provisional Authority, which held more executive powers. It announced that the Initial System would be reduced to 15.6 kilometres (9.7 mi) and renamed the "Modified Initial System" (now part of the Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan lines). Plans for a single contract were abandoned in favour of 25 engineering contracts and 10 electrical and mechanical contracts. On 7 May 1975
3403-460: The Tseung Kwan O line, are two stations long, allowing cross-platform interchange wherein a passenger leaves a train on one side of the platform and boards trains on the other side of the platform for another line. For example, when passengers are travelling on the Kwun Tong line towards Tiu Keng Leng , getting off at Yau Tong would allow them to switch trains across the platform for the Tseung Kwan O line towards North Point . Whereas, staying on
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3486-508: The Tsuen Wan line. Furthermore, each train was extended to eight cars. On 23 May 1986, the Island line was extended to Sheung Wan station . Construction was delayed for one year, as government offices which were located over the station had to be moved before the construction could start. In 1984, the government approved the construction of the Eastern Harbour Crossing , a tunnel to be used by cars and MTR trains. The Kwun Tong line
3569-472: The Tung Chung line started in 1 June 2005, but it was only opened to staff of Disneyland at first. It was finally opened to the general public two months later, on 8 August 2005. The new line and the Disneyland Resort station opened on 1 August 2005. It is a 3.5-kilometre (2.2 mi) single-track railway that runs between Sunny Bay station and Disneyland Resort station. The Disneyland Resort station itself
3652-418: The beginning of the Hong Kong government's initiative to reduce its interests in public utilities. Prior to its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange , the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) was wholly owned by the Hong Kong government. The offering involved the sale of about one billion shares , and the company now has the largest shareholder base of any company listed in Hong Kong. In June 2001, MTRCL
3735-437: The company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with 600,000 shareholders. In June 2001, MTR was added to the Hang Seng Index . At the time of the initial public offering , the company was operating with a surplus of HK$ 360 million (US$ 46.1 million), which had increased from a surplus of HK$ 278 million (US$ 35.6 million) in 1997. The MTR has continued to be one of the few profitable public transport systems in
3818-415: The current reduced concessionary fares on the MTR network. Elderly Octopus holders would be introduced to a new fare system which only the elderly can enjoy a $ 2 fare to anywhere on the MTR network (excluding Airport Express, Light Rail, and Cross-Boundary Stations). In July 2021, Liber Research Community , an NGO, produced a report which detailed the history of MTR's revenue model. In it, it reported that
3901-462: The details of the proposed merger. Under the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding the government has signed with KCRC, KCRC would grant a service concession to the MTRCL to operate the Kowloon–Canton Railway (KCR) system, with an initial period of 50 years. The KCRC would receive a one-time upfront payment of HK$ 4.25 billion, a fixed annual payment of HK$ 750 million and a variable annual payment based on revenues generated from operation of
3984-544: The development of the Hung Shui Kiu New Town . The Northern Link is a proposed new line which connects Tuen Ma line with the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line of East Rail line. It also has Au Tau , Ngau Tam Mei , San Tin , a future interchange station between East Rail line and Northern Link, Kwu Tung , which will become a terminus for Northern link. This line would serve the future Northern Metropolis (which
4067-497: The exhibition centre. To cope with the projected increase in patronage, Airport Express trains were lengthened to eight cars from the previous seven. Additional trains are also deployed on the Tung Chung line during major exhibitions and events. On 5 October 2000 the operator of the MTR network, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC), became Hong Kong's first rail company to be partially privatised , marking
4150-524: The government on 21 January 2003, is an extension of the Island line . It serves the Western District of Hong Kong Island. The construction of the West Island line started on 10 August 2009. Kennedy Town station and HKU station opened on 28 December 2014. Sai Ying Pun station opened later, on 29 March 2015, due to construction delays. A proposal to extend the existing Kwun Tong line to Whampoa Garden
4233-617: The inaugural train through the immersed tube beneath Victoria Harbour to Central station . Trains were gradually extended to six cars to accommodate an increase in passenger numbers. The government approved construction of the Tsuen Wan line in 1977, then known as the Tsuen Wan Extension, and works commenced in November 1978. The project added a 10.5-kilometre (6.5 mi) section to the MTR system, from Prince Edward station to Tsuen Wan . The line started service on 17 May 1982 with
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#17328443704734316-528: The initial system. The other lines would be placed in the list of extensions. This report led to the final study in 1970. In 1970, a revised system with four lines was laid out in the British consultants' new report, Hong Kong Mass Transit: Further Studies . The four lines were to be the Kwun Tong line, Tsuen Wan line, Island line, and East Kowloon line . The lines that were eventually constructed were somewhat different compared to those presented in this report and
4399-504: The last phase , initially in a four-car configuration. The first train drivers were trained on the London Underground . It was designed by a consortium of consultants led by Freeman Fox and Partners . On later extensions to the railway the stations were designed under the supervision of Roland Paoletti , the chief architect at MTR. The full Modified Initial System was opened on 12 February 1980 by Princess Alexandra , who rode
4482-437: The letting of retail and poster advertising space, ATM banking facilities, and personal telecommunication services . Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1979, the system currently (at September 2024) includes 271 km (168 mi) of rail with 167 stations, including 99 railway stations and 68 light rail stops. There are also several future projects . Property
4565-477: The line opened, the Kwun Tong line was extended to Tiu Keng Leng on the new line. Construction costs were partly covered by the Hong Kong Government and private developers which linked construction of the Tseung Kwan O line to new real estate and commercial developments. The interchange between the Kwun Tong line and the Tsuen Wan line (except Yau Ma Tei ) as well as that between the Kwun Tong line and
4648-562: The line southwards from the current terminus at Tuen Mun station . It will include the construction of the A16 station (placeholder name used by MTR) and the new terminus Tuen Mun South station . Additionally, the addition of a new infill station , Hung Shui Kiu station , along the Tuen Ma line between Siu Hong station and Tin Shui Wai station is currently under planning. It may be built depending on
4731-506: The new Tuen Ma line , as part of the Shatin to Central link project. Hence, the Kowloon Southern Link portion of the West Rail line was absorbed by the new line and is now the central and southernmost part of the Tuen Ma line . Canton station (Chinese: 廣東站) was a planned railway station on the Kowloon Southern Link of West Rail line between East Tsim Sha Tsui station and Austin station, beneath
4814-402: The new Hong Kong International Airport. The Airport Express also offers flight check-in facilities at Kowloon station and Hong Kong station —the in-town check-ins offer a more convenient and time-saving routine; a free shuttle bus service transports travellers from these stations to their respective hotels as well. Porters are also available to help transport luggage from and onto trains. It
4897-570: The operation rights of the KCR system to the MTRCL avoided actually selling the KCRC. On 2 December 2007, the Chinese name of the MTRCL was changed to 香港鐵路有限公司 ( lit. "Hong Kong Railway Corporation Limited") after being granted the Service Concession while the English name will remain unchanged. The KCRC is now a holding company of the KCR system, without actual railway operations. The merger
4980-427: The original proposal, construction was expected to begin in 2026 and commence service by 2040. The cost is estimated to be HK$ 20 billion in 2013 prices. [REDACTED] MTR Corporation MTR Corporation Limited is a majority government-owned public transport operator and property developer in Hong Kong which operates the Mass Transit Railway , the most popular public transport network in Hong Kong. It
5063-451: The project was continued by MTRC. The link went into service on 16 August 2009. Upon the completion of the rail link, the West Rail line assumed the tracks from the East Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom portion of the East Rail line. At the same time both the East Rail and West Rail lines were altered to terminate in the south at Hung Hom station, with the platform and tracks at Hung Hom being rearranged to provide cross-platform interchange between
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#17328443704735146-535: The same time the system's Chinese name changed from "地鐵" ("underground railway") to "港鐵" ("Hong Kong Railway"). After the merger, the MTR network included three more lines— East Rail line , West Rail line , and Ma On Shan line (now the Tuen Ma line )—as well as the light rail network and Guangdong through train to Guangzhou . On 28 September 2008, fare zones of all urban lines, East Rail line, Ma On Shan line, and West Rail line were merged. A passenger could travel on these networks with only one ticket, except where
5229-419: The section of the Kwun Tong line from Chater to Argyle (since renamed Central and Mong Kok respectively) was transferred to the Tsuen Wan line. Thus, Waterloo station (since renamed Yau Ma Tei ) became the terminus of the Kwun Tong line, and both Argyle and Prince Edward stations became interchange stations. This change was made because system planners expected the patronage of the Tsuen Wan line to exceed that of
5312-404: The shopping mall, Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, by replacing the existing underground car park. But it was never to be built because of the failed negotiations between the KCRC and The Wharf (Holdings) Limited , the owner of the Harbour City. Originally KCRC requested The Wharf to fully or partially fund the construction of the station for HKD 1.8 billion. The Wharf disagreed, questioning if it
5395-446: The station was never built. This is not to be confused with the modern-day Tsuen Wan West station on Tuen Ma line , which lies on a newly reclaimed area near the former ferry pier. Since opening in 1982, the Tsuen Wan line is the line whose alignment has remained the same for the longest time. For example, the Kwun Tong line's alignment has changed three times since its opening—the taking over of Tsuen Wan line from Mong Kok to Central,
5478-436: The study. These four lines were the Kwun Tong line (from Mong Kok to Ma Yau Tong ), Tsuen Wan line (from Admiralty to Tsuen Wan ), Island line (from Kennedy to Chai Wan Central), and Shatin line (from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wo Liu Hang ). The study was submitted to the Legislative Council on 14 February 1968. The consultants received new data from the 1966 by-census on 6 March 1968. A short supplementary report
5561-421: The taking over of Eastern Harbour Crossing section by the Tseung Kwan O line, and its extension to Whampoa . Government approvals were granted for construction of the Island line in December 1980. Construction commenced in October 1981. On 31 May 1985, the Island line was opened with service between Admiralty station and Chai Wan station . Both Admiralty and Central stations became interchange stations with
5644-671: The train and reaching Tiu Keng Leng would allow them to board the Tseung Kwan O line trains towards Po Lam / LOHAS Park . This design makes interchanging more convenient and passengers do not have the need to change to different levels. However this interchange arrangement is not available for all transferring passengers at Kowloon Tong , Central , Hong Kong , Quarry Bay , Nam Cheong (except transfer between Tuen Mun and Hong Kong bound trains), Mei Foo , Tai Wai (only between southbound Tuen Ma line and East Rail line trains) and Sunny Bay (except transfer between Tung Chung and Disneyland Resort bound trains) stations, mainly because this service
5727-408: The two lines (it forms two sets of island platforms ). Upon the opening of the extension, a new Tuen Mun-Hung Hom Monthly Pass was introduced for unlimited rides of the whole West Rail line (including the new extension). On 27 June 2021, the West Rail line officially merged with the Ma On Shan line (which was already extended into the Tuen Ma line Phase 1 at the time) in East Kowloon to form
5810-429: The world. There had been some discussion of merging the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), which was also government-owned and the MTRCL to make the territory's transport system more efficient. The MTRCL backed such a merger while the KCRC opposed the plan. In March 2004, the Hong Kong Government officially encouraged the two companies to merge. On 11 April 2006, the Hong Kong Government officially announced
5893-472: Was approved by shareholders of the MTRCL on 9 October 2007. The merger is effective for 50 years. This also resulted in changing the system's Chinese name from " 地鐵 " ("Subway") to " 港鐵 " "(Hong Kong Railway"). All adult Octopus Card holders would be the first to benefit from the merger. Student and concessionary Octopus holders would also benefit from the merger by further reducing $ 0.1 from their 50% off fares. Student Octopus holders would continue to pay
5976-495: Was based on the projection of the population of Hong Kong for 1986, estimated at 6,868,000. On 1 September 1967, the consultants submitted the Hong Kong Mass Transport Study to the government, which recommended the construction of a 40-mile (64 km) rapid transit rail system in Hong Kong. The study suggested that four rail lines be developed in six stages, with a completion date set between December 1973 and December 1984. Detailed locations of lines and stations were presented in
6059-500: Was designed to blend in with the ambiance of the resort. The line operates fully automated trains running every four to ten minutes without a driver. The carriages are refurbished M-train rolling stock to match the recreational and adventurous nature of the 3.5-minute journey. The AsiaWorld–Expo station is an extension of the Airport Express serving a new international exhibition centre, AsiaWorld–Expo , at Hong Kong International Airport. The station opened on 20 December 2005 along with
6142-462: Was developed into Union Square , a mixed-use development with residential, office, retail, and hotel space. The site includes the tallest commercial building in Hong Kong, the 118-storey International Commerce Centre . Central's landmark International Finance Centre is managed by Premier Plus, MTR's elite property management brand. The MTR Corporation invested heavily to develop large shopping centres around MTR stations . The most recent example
6225-481: Was established on 22 September 1972 as a government-owned statutory corporation to build and operate a mass transit railway system to meet Hong Kong's public transport needs. On 30 June 2000, the MTRC was succeeded by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL, 地下鐵路有限公司 ). As with the MTRC, the MTRCL's principal business is to operate the mass transit railway system. Following a successful initial public offering ,
6308-482: Was extended across the harbour on 5 August 1989 to Quarry Bay station , which became an interchange station for the Kwun Tong line and the Island line . An intermediate station, Lam Tin , started operations on 1 October 1989. The decision was made in October 1989 to construct a new international airport at Chek Lap Kok on Lantau Island to replace the overcrowded Kai Tak International Airport . The government invited
6391-426: Was initiated due to overcrowding at Quarry Bay and persistent passenger complaints about the five-minute walk from the Island line platforms to the Kwun Tong line platform. Construction began in September 1997 and was completed in September 2001 at a cost of HK$ 3.1 billion. As with most earlier interchange stations, a cross-platform interchange arrangement was provided here in both directions. Construction of
6474-520: Was made in April 2006 and approved in March 2008 as part of the bid for the Sha Tin to Central Link . Two new stations at Whampoa and Ho Man Tin opened on 23 October 2016. The South Island line opened on 28 December 2016 between Admiralty and South Horizons , linking the MTR to Southern District for the first time. With the opening of the South Island line, all 18 districts of Hong Kong are served by
6557-426: Was not originally envisaged as being used as a means of financing the capital cost of the railway itself" and that revenue from property development was to be used for a "contingency reserve", such as for offsetting excessive construction costs. The report noted that as of 2017, 40 per cent of MTR's revenue is from property and that the original intent of using property revenue for contingency purposes had shifted into
6640-495: Was reasonable for a private enterprise to undertake the construction cost of public facilities. The station was eventually omitted from the project, officially announced on 6 December 2004. 22°18′32″N 114°09′51″E / 22.3090°N 114.1643°E / 22.3090; 114.1643 MTR 4,823,000 (city metro lines only, without cross border passengers) 1,586,646,000 (city metro lines only, without cross border passengers) The Mass Transit Railway ( MTR )
6723-454: Was submitted on 22 March 1968 and amended in June 1968. The by-census indicated that the projected 1986 population was reduced by more than one million from the previous estimate to 5,647,000. The dramatic reduction affected town planning . The population distribution was largely different from the original study. The projected 1986 populations of Castle Peak New Town , Sha Tin New Town , and, to
6806-442: Was to tender the entire project, based on the British design, as a single tender at a fixed price. A consortium from Japan, led by Mitsubishi , submitted the only proposal within the government's $ 5-billion price ceiling. They signed an agreement to construct the system in early 1974, but in December of the same year, pulled out of the agreement for reasons stemming from fears of the oil crisis . Several weeks later, in early 1975,
6889-531: Was transferred to the Hang Seng Index . MTRCL has often developed properties next to stations to complement its profitable railway business. Many recently built stations were incorporated into large housing estates or shopping complexes. For example, Tsing Yi station is built next to the Maritime Square shopping centre and directly underneath the Tierra Verde housing estate. On 11 April 2006, MTRCL signed
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