Periscope

The construction of South Island line would aid the development of Ocean Park. Courtesy of Ocean Park

The train is heading south

By Annie Chan

In March 2004, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation proposed an additional line that wouldlink to serve the Western and Southern districts of Hong Kong Island .

The West Island Line will run from Sai Ying Pun to Wong Chuk Hang. It will serve all the major population and employment centers.

The South Island Line will run from the South Horizons to the northern shore of Hong Kong Island . It would serve not only the population in the south but also tourists heading to the major existing and future tourist attractions located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, including Ocean Park.

Mr. Tang Pak Hung, Senior Co-ordination Engineer from the MTR Corporation, said the proposal of the West and South Island line is in response to the long-standing calls from local residents of Western and Southern Districts for improved transport.

He said, “With the current transports available, residents may need nearly an hour to go to Central from the Western and Southern Island due to traffic congestion at peak hour.

“Building a rail link will allow commuters to bypass this congestion and allows overall reduction in road based vehicles.”

The two lines will cost approximately $150 to $160 billion, with part of the Government subsidy. MTR Corporation said they have tried their best to lower the costs.

”A rubber tyred system and the shorter train configuration will give higher flexibility in the railway alignment and station design, which in turn will help to reduce the costs of the project,” said Mr. Tang.

He continued, “The ridership on the South Island Line is estimated to be 15,000 passengers per hour at peak flow (per direction), which is 15 percent of passengers of the existing MTR system.

“So the medium capacity system is sufficient to meet the passengers' flows,” he said.

The rubber tyred system could also lower noise pollution although in the case of Ocean Park might not be needed.

“ Ocean Park , as a theme park, is already quite noisy. But of course we would still work on environmental protection,” he said.

The proposed station at the park will be above ground, which is similar to the Kowloon Bay and Kwun Tong stations.

With these advantages, the South Island line has gained favor of the residents and environmental protection parties.

However, Mr. Li Wing Sang, President of the Motor Transport Workers General Unit, doubted the urgency of the construction of South Island line.

He said, “I am not opposing the construction of it. But in my point of view, the existing transport is sufficient to support the district's need. Even at peak hours people seldom have to wait for buses.

“I am afraid with the railway it would bring vigrous competition,” he said.

Though the MTR Corporation admitted that the construction of the railway would result in a direct competition with Citybus, they have another view on the competition.

Mr. Tang explained, “Citybus might lose a significant portion of their passengers as they switch to the South Island Line, but they have lines all around Hong Kong , so the effect would be rather small.

“Taxis and mini-buses will only be slightly affected because they will not compete directly with the railway. Most of these surplus taxis and minibuses can be redeployed as new feeder services.

“In general, a railway construction would lower social costs due to the reduction in air and noise pollution. Greater transport demand from tourism development and increased business activities will also benefit taxis and minibuses. It is beneficial to the society,” he said.

He named some other advantages of having the South Island line. For example the relief of traffic congestion in the central business district, the re-vitalization of Western and Southern districts and creation of new job opportunities.

The most important thing is the potential new tourism development.

He pointed out that the current transport problems are constraining the development and urban renewal of Western and Southern districts.

“ Ocean Park is an excellent example. With MTR, more tourists will visit the park as tourists usually like MTR more than buses. The further development of Ocean Park would bring more customers to us.

“We could then use resources more effectively because tourists would not be a burden to the peak hour capacity.

On the other hand it could raise our revenues. MTR being a public good, the cost to serve an extra passenger is approximately zero.

“So it is a win-win situation to both parties,” Mr. Tang concluded.

Although the construction of South Island line would aid the development of Ocean Park , Ocean Park would not subsidize the construction of the railway. But the Government would do.

Patrick Lai, a Senior Engineer of Transport Planning from the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, said they are still undertaking a feasibility study on West and South Island line.

“The project is under investigation but we are optimistic about it. There are a few areas that we are still considering.

“One of it is the extension proposal of Ocean Park which we have not yet received,” Mr. Lai said.

Mr. Lau Kong-wah, President of the Transport Penal of Legislative Council, echoed with the government that the line is still under consideration.

He said, “We currently have no time table for it as it is not an urgent matter. Citizens generally support the construction of both railways. But we prefer West Island line.

“Being a Legislative Council member, we have to step into the public's feet. We must think thoroughly concerning the usage of the taxpayers' money,” he said.

However, Mr. Li said, “With the Government subsidy, it would be like using public funds to support the traffic costs of citizens of a few districts.”

Responding to the comment, Mr. Tang explained, “The new line would possibly generate 5,000 new jobs in construction industry and at least 20,000 new jobs as a result of the increased business activities. Promotion of tourism developments, plans of Ocean Park and Fisherman's Wharf will become possible.

“The total economic and social benefits, assessed by the University of Hong Kong , are estimated to be $40 billion, of which the direct financial benefits accruing to Government are $4 to $5 billion.

“As we can see, the South Island line not only favors the residents living in Hong Kong Island , but is beneficial to everyone in the society,” he concluded.

Courtesy of Ocean Park

Citybus will face a vicious competition with the Railway. Annie Chan