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The Government unveiled today (May 16) the new blueprint for railway development for Hong Kong up to 2016 - "Railway Development Strategy 2000" (the 2000 Strategy).

A Government spokesman said that Hong Kong will continue to invest to expand the railway network after the six railway lines now under way are completed in the coming five years.

The 2000 Strategy maps out a blueprint for planning and implementing the next phase of railway expansion programme for completion between 2008 and 2016.

This will help to provide the Hong Kong public with convenient access to the railway system and much faster and reliable travel throughout the SAR with reduction in reliance on road based transport," he said.

Completion of the railway expansion programme according to the 2000 Strategy will increase our railway network by at least 70 per cent compared with today to over 250 kilometres. More than 70 per cent of the residents and 80 per cent of the employment will then be within walking distance from the railway stations. The rail share in the public transport patronage will increase to about 45 per cent.

"Investment in this new phase of railway expansion amounts to some HK$80 to $100 billion at today's prices," the spokesman said.

"Expanding the rail network is the only way to meet our transport needs in a sustainable way. It is our contribution to making Hong Kong a World Class City," he added.

End/Tuesday, May 16, 2000

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