New rail line opened

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa today (August 18) opened the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation's multi billion dollar Tseung Kwan O Line - four months ahead of schedule and within budget.

The line provides a rapid and efficient commuter rail service to the fast-growing Tseung Kwan O New Town in the southeastern part of the New Territories.

In opening the line, Mr Tung said it would add to Hong Kong's already world-class transport infrastructure.

"To provide our citizens the best public transport services, the SAR Government will continue to throw substantial investments into railway development," he said.

"In the next five years, we will see one railway project be completed and commence operation almost every year. On completion, these projects will bring Hong Kong a more sophisticated and efficient railway network, and the construction work will create vast job opportunities."

Mr Tung said the opening of the Tseung Kwan O Line not only provided the 260,000 residents of the new town with a fast, comfortable, environment-friendly transport system; it was a landmark achievement for the MTR and a manifestation of the government's commitment to invest in Hong Kong's future as a major city in China and Asia's world city.

Since the MTR began operations in 1979, the railway has increased from an initial network of 15km to some 90km today, and the daily patronage had leap-frogged from 40,000 to about two million passengers.

The full text of Mr Tung's speech follows:

Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to officiate at the commissioning of the MTR Tseung Kwan O Line. This new line provides to the 260 000 residents in Tseung Kwan O a means of transport that is fast, comfortable, reliable and environmental-friendly and shortens significantly the commute time.

The completion of the Tseung Kwan O Line not only signifies a landmark achievement of the MTR Corporation, but also manifests the SAR Government's commitment to investing for a better Hong Kong. Hong Kong is facing tremendous challenges arising from the economic restructuring. To ride out these challenges, we need a clear positioning, and we have set out the positioning of Hong Kong as a major city in China and Asia's world city.

To realise this vision, one of our tasks is to develop Hong Kong into a great city with ideal living conditions. A good transport network is the most important cornerstone for that.

More new rail projects

Hong Kong always boasts a world-class transport infrastructure. To provide to our citizens the best public transport services, the SAR Government will continue to throw substantial investments into railway development. Following the opening of the Tseung Kwan O Line today, in the next five years, we will see one railway project be completed and commence operation almost every year. These projects upon completion will bring Hong Kong a more sophisticated and efficient railway network, and the construction work in the meantime will create vast job opportunities.

While the SAR Government is committed to investing in new roads, railways and transport networks, we encourage all public transport operators to strengthen their management, enhance efficiency and improve service quality, particularly in safety standard, to ensure the provision of the best, most convenient and reliable, and affordable services to our citizens. This helps to maintain our strength in transport infrastructure.

The SAR Government attaches great importance to the safety guarantees by public transport operators to set commuters at ease to use their services. Undoubtedly, the Government is concerned about the incidents on MTR service over the past few days and maintains close contact with the MTR Corporation. We are confident that the MTR Corporation will try its very best to take all possible measures to ensure the safest and most reliable service for the public.

The MTR Corporation has provided an environmental-friendly and efficient means of transport since operations began in 1979. The railway has increased from an initial network of 15 km to the current network of about 90 km, and a daily patronage of 40 000 at its opening to about two million passengers now, representing 18.5% of the total public transport patronage. Over these two decades, the MTR has been closely connected with the daily life of our fellow citizens and will continue to make notable contributions to the transport development of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's tenacity and entrepreneurship

Worthy of our notice is that the Tseung Kwan O Line opened today was a highly challenging project involving complex construction work across mountains and densely built areas. Under the leadership of the MTR Corporation, and the support and cooperation of contractors and Government departments concerned, this new line is now completed way ahead of schedule by four months, notably reducing the cost of construction. It illustrates what Hong Kong people can achieve with our characteristic entrepreneurship and tenacity. Let us all bear this example in mind. No matter how daunting the challenges brought by economic restructuring are, we must apply our strengths and have faith in ourselves. Then with courage and unity in purpose we shall overcome and ride towards a bright future.

Lastly, congratulations to all those who have taken part in the Tseung Kwan O Line project, particularly the MTR Corporation, the contractors and their workers, and our colleagues. I hope that with the same spirit in quest of excellence, you will continue to deliver the best to the community.

Thank you.

Ends/Sunday, August 18, 2002