All aboard: Kai Tak transit system proposal

Property developers welcomed the administration’s proposal to build a transit system connecting Kai Tak MTR station and the runway area, as they expect the property market will be boosted after John Lee’s announcement about resuming the public transport project.

It will be included in the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint to be published by year-end, which will outline the implementation of all major transport infrastructures to improve the SAR’s railway and major road networks, Lee said.

He decided to implement smart and green mass transit in areas, including East Kowloon, Kai Tak and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen new development areas after taking into consideration mainland-made SkyShuttle and Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit, as well as a bus rapid transit system.

The administration will invite suppliers and operators to submit expressions of interest for the East Kowloon and Kai Tak projects next year to finalize details, including tender conditions.

It proposed to build another mass transit serving uphill areas of Kwun Tong.

The East Kowloon Line will connect Kwun Tong from Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat and Ma Yau Tong to Yau Tong East to facilitate access to Choi Hung and Yau Tong stations, improving the overall transportation of East Kowloon and “unleashing development potential,” Lee explained.

The project is expected to benefit some 300,000 people. Government sources said the East Kowloon Line would be mostly elevated railway, which will be built along the current New Clear Water Bay Road, Sau Mau Ping Road and Po Lam Road.

However, it would need to pass through a mountain tunnel to travel between Ma Yau Tong and Yau Tong East, where stops and depot locations are yet to be determined.

Additionally, the old Kai Tak runway area – including the cruise terminal and Kai Tak Sports Park – will be connected to the Kai Tak MTR Station.

The proposal for a monorail connecting Kai Tak, Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay was scrapped in 2020, citing cost concerns and building difficulties.

Asked whether relaunching the Kai Tak transit system will give rise to concerns about alleged frequent changes in policy, Lee said it is critical the policy is effective in benefiting Hongkongers.

“We should neglect the progress of the policy,” he said, “and I emphasize on results.”

Local developers said the administration had echoed their call to revitalize East Kowloon.

K Wah International’s director of sales and marketing (Hong Kong Properties) Tony Wan Wai-ming said: “This is definitely a piece of good news.”

Wheelock Properties vice chairman Ricky Wong Kwong-yiu expects the project would strengthen the facilities in the district and facilitate the development of East Kowloon as the second Central Business District.

Lee also announced an enhanced Three Railways and Three Major Roads proposal, which includes the provision of three intermediary stations at Northeast Tsuen Wan, Northeast Kwai Chung and Tsuen King Circuit on the Central Rail Link and transit to the Tsuen Wan Line.

Sources said the current Tsuen Wan Line will extend to the new Tsuen King Circuit station to benefit residents in Upper Kwai Chung, including Shek Lei, Lei Muk Shue and Cheung Shan estates.

Two new railway projects include Northern Link Eastern Extension and Northeast New Territories Line while one major road, Northern Metropolis Highway’s New Territories North New Town Section, will be added to the Northern Metropolis.

These projects will be conducive to the development of new towns in the eastern part of the Northern Metropolis.