9.5.4 Arrangement of train for riot policeĭuring the 1960s, the government of Hong Kong saw a need to accommodate increasing road traffic as Hong Kong's economy grew rapidly.9.5 Involvement in 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.3.3 Station facilities, amenities and services.The MTR has served as a model for some newly built systems, particularly in Mainland China. There are continual debates regarding how and where to expand the MTR network. The MTR was immediately popular with residents of Hong Kong as a result, subsequent lines have been built to cover more territory. Construction started soon after the release of the study, and the first line opened in 1979. The integration of the Octopus smart card fare-payment technology into the MTR system in September 1997 has further enhanced the ease of commuting on the MTR.Ĭonstruction of the MTR was prompted by a study, released in 1967, commissioned by the Government of British Hong Kong to find solutions to the increasing road congestion problem caused by the territory's fast-growing economy. As of 2018, the MTR has a 49.3 per cent market share of the franchised public transport market, making it the most popular transport option in Hong Kong.
It consistently achieves a 99.9 per cent on-time rate on its train journeys.
Under the government's rail-led transport policy, the MTR system is a common mode of public transport in Hong Kong, with over five million trips made in an average weekday. The system included 230.9 km (143.5 mi) of rail in 2018 with 165 stations, including 97 heavy rail stations and 68 light rail stops. 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 serving the urbanised areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. The Mass Transit Railway ( MTR) is a major public transport network serving Hong Kong.