CE in Council approves financial arrangement for East KLN Transit

The Chief Executive in Council has approved the financial arrangement for the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon.

The government plans to invite tenders for the project in July -- with three residential plots up for grabs. The three residential sites are located near Kai Tak next to the Children's Hospital, on the Cha Kwo Ling Road site near Kwun Tong Road and a depot site at Ma Yau Tong.

Authorities say as the present value of revenues net of projected expenditures would fall short of the expected return on capital, the government will provide funding support for the East Kowloon Project through granting property development rights of three sites primarily for residential uses to the future franchisee, with a view to increasing incentives.

Upon completion of the East Kowloon Project, the commuting time from Po Tat/Sau Mau Ping areas to either Yau Tong or Choi Hung is expected to be around 10 to 15 minutes, which is about half the time for road-based traffic. Over 300,000 residents will be served along the nine stations.

The government targets to award the contract next year and commission the project on or before 2033. The government adopted the use of the Smart and Green Mass Transit System which has stronger climbing capability, does not require an overhead power system, and is lightweight, which can help overcome the complicated geographical constraints in the uphill areas of East Kowloon.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan says the winning bidder for the project will be responsible for its financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance.