Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG

1992; International Union of Public Transport; Volume: 41; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

1016-796X

S Clennell,

Maritime Ports and Logistics

This article discusses the varied prospects for different public transport projects in Hong Kong, in view of uncertainties about what will happen to Hong Kong after it joins China after 1997. Communist China is expecting private investors and property development companies to finance Hong Kong's public transport and develop its thriving economy further. The uncertainties have not deterred Hong Kong's bolder operators and consortia from recognising that China has a potential market of more than a billion passengers. The Chinese border town of Shenzen already has plans for light rail, skyrail, and new heavy rail lines. In Guangzhou (Canton), companies are competing for contracts for the new metro. Private investors are also discussing joint ventures with the Chinese Government, to extend and upgrade various Chinese railways, to form a new network of high-speed rail links as far as Beijing. However, there are threats to the continuation of several current projects in Hong Kong. The railway to the new Chep Lak Kok Airport is most at risk, the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation may never be privatised, and several current bus and ferry franchises may be discontinued. However, several bus operators continue to flourish, and many buses are being air- conditioned to attract passengers. Ferries are becoming faster and more competitive, New trade and transport links with China will be opened up. A map is provided of the major planned transport projects. The French title of this article is: Perspectives en matiere de transports publics a Hong-Kong. The German title is: Die Zukunft des Oeffentlichen verkehrs in Hongkong. This is a special issue of the journal Public Transport to commemorate the 50th International Congress of UITP, held in Sydney, Australia, May 2-7, 1993.