MTR growing at home and abroad

摘要

With Hong Kong's public transport operator MTR preparing to open the latest additions to its metro network, the 2.6km Kwun Tong extension and the 7km South Island Line, 2016 is set to be another big year for the company. CEO Mr Lincoln Leong says construction on the delayed Kwun Tong extension is 90% complete and he expects the $HK 7.2bn ($US 930m) line to enter revenue service in the third quarter of the year. Leong is similarly optimistic that the South Island Line will be ready for its first passengers by the end of 2016, albeit late and with a revised project cost of $HK 16.9bn. However, the news for the Express Rail Link is less promising. The new 26km underground high-speed railway will deliver trains from mainland China into the heart of Hong Kong at a striking new station at the tip of Kowloon. The line was due to open initially in 2015, but with delays and its budget ballooning 20% above the initial $HK 69bn cost to $HK 85.3bn, MTR has felt the heat from an expectant public and government.