*******************************************************
The commissioning of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Futian Port marked closer ties between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and was an excellent example of co-operation between the two places, Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, said at the opening ceremony of the Spur Line and Futian Port today (August 15).
Also officiating at the ceremony at the Lok Ma Chau-Futian Boundary Bridge this morning were Chairman of Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), Mr Michael Tien; the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Wong Chi Kong, Acting Director of Highways, Mr Cheung Hing Wan; Senior Director-Transport of KCRC, Mr Y T Li; Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Li Hongzhong; Executive Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Tang Bingquan; Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Xu Zongheng; Chairman of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of CPPCC, Mr Li Decheng, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Shenzhen Metro Co Ltd, Ms Zhang Xiaoli.
“Lok Ma Chau Spur Line is the second rail link between the two cities. The commissioning of the Spur Line and the Futian Port will help relieve the congestion at other land boundary crossings and cater for the increasing cross-boundary traffic demand,” Mr Tang said.
He said Shenzhen and Hong Kong had been working closely to adopt various measures to ensure the smooth flow of people and goods as well as promote social and economic ties.
“After the opening of the Spur Line and Futian Port, we will spare no effort in implementing other cross-boundary transport infrastructure projects. Take the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link as an example. We have decided to adopt the dedicated corridor option and will continue to work jointly with Guangdong and Shenzhen to ensure early implementation. We look forward to more concrete achievements on the transport front,” he said.
Mr Tang thanked the Central Government and the Guangdong and Shenzhen governments for their strong support throughout the planning and construction of the spur line project. He also praised the concerted efforts of KCRC staff in completing the spur line project, in particular their commitment to striking the right balance between development and conservation.
Mr Tang and Mr Tien, rode on a special train that passed a ribbon at the Lok Ma Chau Station this morning, signifying the commissioning of the new railway.
The journey time for the 7.4km spur line running from KCRC Sheung Shui Station to LMC Station is about six minutes. It provides a direct link to Lok Ma Chau Terminus for passengers along the KCRC East Rail. On arrival at Lok Ma Chau Terminus, passengers can proceed through the cross-boundary passenger bridge for destinations in Shenzhen.
Fitted with 136 counters at the immigration hall, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point will be able to handle up to about 150,000 passengers a day.
Following the commissioning of this new control point today, passengers can now travel to and from Mainland through this crossing by using different kinds of public transport services. Apart from taking the East Rail Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, passengers can also travel to the public transport interchange next to the Lok Ma Chau Terminus by franchised bus, green minibus and taxi.
Ends/Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN
