LCQ20 : KCRC strives to improve rail services
Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kwong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 20) :
Question :
Regarding the ridership of West Rail and East Rail, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the reasons for the current lower-than-expected ridership for West Rail;
(b) of the percentage of cross-boundary passenger trips taken with East Rail in the total number of such trips by public transport in each of the past three years; and
(c) whether it knows the measures the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation will take to increase the ridership for West Rail and East Rail?
Reply :
Madam President,
Since its opening on December 20 2003, the average daily patronage of West Rail (WR) is about 100 000 to 110 000. This is below the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC)'s forecast when the Corporation decided to build WR in 1995/96. The main reasons are:-
(i) slower population growth in the North West New Territories (NWNT). The current population of NWNT is 1.04 million, which is 0.13 million less than KCRC's population assumption;
(ii) adjustment to property development programme along WR stations due to the stagnant property market in the past few years. As a result, a substantial catchment population has yet to be formed and WR stations are less convenient to residents in the existing residential areas in NWNT;
(iii) lower traffic demand due to the economic downturn and relatively high unemployment rate in the past few years; and
(iv) traffic congestion along Castle Peak Road and Tuen Mun Road is significantly relieved after the opening of Route 3 for franchised buses.
The figure of cross-boundary passenger trips taken with East Rail (ER) as a percentage of the total number of cross-boundary passenger trips by all land-based public transport services in each of the past three years is as follows:
Year Percentage
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2001 86%
2002 83%
2003 76%
The following measures are being introduced/planned by KCRC to boost the ridership of its ER and WR services :
East Rail/Cross-boundary Services
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To improve competitiveness of ER cross-boundary passenger service, KCRC has been offering a 20 per cent discount to travel agents buying 1 000 or more Lo Wu tickets in a month since April 2004. Moreover, the Corporation is undertaking a Lo Wu Station Improvement Project, which is currently 90 per cent complete, to enhance the comfort and convenience of passengers.
In order to boost the patronage of ER domestic passenger service, KCRC has extended the Second Trip Discount Scheme to the end of September 2004, which offers a 20 per cent discount to passengers who take a second trip on the ER domestic line on the same day. In addition, East Rail passengers enjoy a $1 fare discount when interchanging with green minibus route 21K, 79K and bus route 701. The Corporation also provides bonus point redemption progammes and organizes regular promotional activities.
West Rail
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KCRC is taking a number of steps to enhance WR's competitiveness, connectivity and interchange with Light Rail and other transport modes.
In terms of fares, the Corporation has taken the following measures:-
(i) 20 per cent discount for WR trips between NWNT and urban areas and 10 per cent discount for other WR trips;
(ii) with effect from May 1, 2004, passengers holding Octopus cards who interchange with MTR or WR at Nam Cheong or Mei Foo Station enjoy a $1.2 discount on the second leg of their journeys;
(iii) starting from May 15, 2004, WR passengers can enjoy free interchange with the 95K green minibus, which runs between the WR Tsuen Wan West Station and the MTR Tsuen Wan Station;
(iv) there are interchange fare discounts for 22 franchised bus routes and eight green minibus routes; and
(v) WR passengers transferring from taxi in NWNT can enjoy a special fare discount of $2.
The Corporation will continue to discuss with green minibus and franchised bus operators with a view to further improving WR's connectivity.
The Corporation is also making efforts to facilitate pedestrian and motorist access to WR stations. A discounted park-and-ride parking scheme is provided at Kam Sheung Road Station. In the longer run, KCRC will consider building additional footbridges and staircases to enhance passenger accessibility to the stations.
Statistics show that ridership is higher on weekends and holidays. Promotion programmes in the coming months to encourage passengers to take WR to the New Territories for fun and leisure have been set in train by the Corporation.
Ends/Wednesday, June 2, 2004