The Extension of Island line to Western District (previously known as West Island line) is a three-
station western extension of the
Hong Kong MTR
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is a major public transport network serving :Hong Kong. Operated by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), it consists of heavy rail, light rail, and feeder bus service centred on a 10-line rapid transit network ...
's
Island line Island Line or Island line may refer to:
* Island line (MTR), one of the lines of the MTR metro system in Hong Kong
* Island Line, Isle of Wight, a railway line on the Isle of Wight, England
** Island Line (brand)
Island Line is a brand of the ...
. Construction of the line began on 10 August 2009, and the two westernmost stations on line opened on 28 December 2014; the intermediary
Sai Ying Pun station
Sai Ying Pun is a station on the MTR network. The station is between and on the . It serves the neighbourhood of Sai Ying Pun and the western part of Mid-Levels in northwestern Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Sai Ying Pun station was opened ...
opened on 29 March 2015.
[http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-093-E.pdf ] The first train went into service that day at 6:00 a.m. Hong Kong time.
History
Initial proposals
The
MTR Corporation Limited
MTR Corporation Limited is a majority government-owned public transport operator and property developer in Hong Kong which operates the Mass Transit Railway, the most popular public transport network in Hong Kong. It is listed on the Hon ...
(MTRC) submitted its first proposal for the West Island line in May 2002. This was similar to the final alignment, with stations at Sai Ying Pun, Belcher and Kennedy Town. In revisions in 2003 and 2004, the West Island line became its own line, which would interchange with the Island line at
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District. The name can be variously interpreted as ''Upper Dist ...
or
Sai Ying Pun
Sai Ying Pun is an area in Western District, on Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. It is administratively part of the Central and Western District.
Etymology
In Cantonese, ''Sai'' () means "west" and ''Ying Pun'' () means "camp", especially a ...
. On 28 May 2004, planning for the line was deferred.
Final scheme
On 25 February 2005, the Panel of Transport of
Legislative Council had a meeting discussing the West and South Island lines.
MTR submitted a revised scheme on 22 February. An introduction to the scheme was conducted in the meeting.
In the scheme, the West Island line included only the extension to Island line. The rest became the west section of South Island line. The Extension of Island line to Western District would run from
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District. The name can be variously interpreted as ''Upper Dist ...
to
Kennedy Town
Kennedy Town is at the western end of Sai Wan on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It was named after Arthur Edward Kennedy, the 7th Governor of Hong Kong from 1872 to 1877. Administratively, it is part of Central and Western District.
Due to its ...
:
*
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District. The name can be variously interpreted as ''Upper Dist ...
*
Sai Ying Pun
Sai Ying Pun is an area in Western District, on Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. It is administratively part of the Central and Western District.
Etymology
In Cantonese, ''Sai'' () means "west" and ''Ying Pun'' () means "camp", especially a ...
*
HKU, interchange to the South Island Line (West)
*
Kennedy Town
Kennedy Town is at the western end of Sai Wan on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It was named after Arthur Edward Kennedy, the 7th Governor of Hong Kong from 1872 to 1877. Administratively, it is part of Central and Western District.
Due to its ...
The scheme was gazetted in October 2007 and given final authorisation in March 2009.
Construction of the 3-kilometre extension started on 10 August 2009, for completion in 2014.
The cost of the extension is estimated to be HK$15.4 billion.
Project details
Construction cost
According to the summary report of the new lines, the construction cost of the Extension of Island Line to Western District would be HK$15.4 billion (as at Dec 2008). MTR asked for government funding of less than half of the total cost. The remaining cost and the operational cost would be covered by MTR.
File:Exit A1 of Sai Ying Pun Station under construction in April 2014.JPG, Sai Ying Pun station
Sai Ying Pun is a station on the MTR network. The station is between and on the . It serves the neighbourhood of Sai Ying Pun and the western part of Mid-Levels in northwestern Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Sai Ying Pun station was opened ...
Exit A1 in April 2014
File:Exit A of HKU Station under construction in April 2014.JPG, Under construction HKU station Exit A
Features
Some features are firstly introduced into these new stations to enhance services and facilities. The "lift-only" entrances are placed at HKU and Sai Ying Pun due to the depth of these station. Several high-speed lifts with doors on both sides allow to transport a high volume of passengers in and out of the stations. When fire in stations, these lifts can also be used for evacuation. Fire shutters of each lift will be lowered and air within lift will be pressurised to prevent smoke and fire.
The new multi-purpose ticket machines are installed at West Island Line concourse. Using touch screens, it combines the existing functions of ticket vending machine and add-value machine. It can also buy single journey ticket and City Saver by cash or
Octopus card.
Useful Tips on Adding Value to Octopus at New “3-in-1” Ticket Machines
MTR,8 January 2015
See also
* MTR
* Future projects of the MTR
Several future projects on the MTR have been put forward by the MTR Corporation to the Hong Kong Government. Some of these are still in planning stage, some are now completed.
With the rail merger with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation ...
* South Island line
The South Island line, identified by light green on the MTR route map, is a rapid transit line of Hong Kong's MTR metro system. This line connects the HK business district from Admiralty station to the Southern District of Hong Kong Islan ...
References
Papers from Government and Legislature
* From Highways Department
Highways Department is a department of the Hong Kong Government responsible for developing Hong Kong's road and railway network as well as road maintenance.
History
The department was previously an office within the former Civil Engineering De ...
Hong Kong. Retrieved 27 February 2005.
* From Panel of Transport, Legislative Council. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 27 February 2005.
* From Panel of Transport, Legislative Council. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 27 February 2005.
* From Panel of Transport, Legislative Council. 25 February 2005. Retrieved 5 March 2005.
News reports
*Yung, Chester and Chung, Danny.
Western on the MTR track
(1 July 2005). The Standard.
Press releases
*. (30 June 2005). From MTR Corporation
MTR Corporation Limited is a majority government-owned public transport operator and property developer in Hong Kong which operates the Mass Transit Railway, the most popular public transport network in Hong Kong. It is listed on the Hong ...
.
MTRCL to proceed with preparations for West Island Line
(30 June 2005). From Information Services Department
The Information Services Department (ISD) is the Hong Kong Government's public relations office, publisher, advertiser, and news agency, serving as the link between the government and the media. It was also commonly called Government Informat ...
, Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, commonly known as the Hong Kong Government or HKSAR Government, refers to the executive authorities of Hong Kong SAR. It was formed on 1 July 1997 in accordance with the Sino-Br ...
.
External links
*
Papers from Legislative Council concerning West Island Line and South Island Line
{{Island Line navbox
Island line (MTR)
*
Central and Western District, Hong Kong
1432 mm gauge railways in Hong Kong
Railway lines opened in 2014