This paper presents the efforts of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to integrate the passenger terminal at Hong Kong International Airport with the Cross Boundary Ferry Terminal (CBFT) through the implementation of an innovative Elevated People Mover (EPM) transit link. Besides connecting the airport and ferry terminals, the planned EPM will serve multiple activity centers within SkyCity, including the Exhibition and Convention Center (ECC), North Commercial District, Ground Transportation Center, and future hotels. In addition, the EPM will provide a 'sterile' transit link between the airport terminal and CBFT, eliminating the need to pass through immigration control for passengers traveling from/to the Pearl River Delta. To integrate commercial development with the airport and spur economic growth, a large portion of travel needs to be shifted from buses and private automobiles to a more efficient transit mode. The proposed EPM system will help achieve a variety of objectives, including better utilization and appeal of the ECC, hotels, retail complexes, office facilities, and restaurants, as well as improved parking management. Furthermore, the EPM will become an integrated part of a larger rail network, including the Airport Express Line (AEL), which may be extended to the ECC, and another potential transit link to the CBFT, which would provide transfer with the MTRC rail network on Lantau Island. AAHK has retained Jakes Associates, Inc. in an ongoing attempt to arrive with feasible recommendations for rapid and affordable project implementation.
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