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SCMP

This article was first published on June 1, 1985.
By Francis Li and Louis Liu
Massive roll-up as new line opens
Huge crowds rolled up to try out the Mass Transit Railway Island line which went into operation without a hitch on Friday (May 31, 1985).
An MTR Corporation spokesman said on Friday night more than 136,000 people travelled on the line between Chai Wan and Admiralty stations in the first five hours after it opened for commuters at 2pm.
Rostered station staff helped by volunteer MTR workers turned out in force to help passengers, many of whom were first-time MTR commuters.
The Causeway Bay station was so busy that many commuters said they had to queue for nearly 20 minutes for a ticket, well before the evening rush hours.

A department store which opened above Causeway Bay station on Friday began turning back customers shortly after 3.30pm, as thousands of people poured through the doors into the station.
Passengers interviewed by the South China Morning Post said they were impressed by the speed and high frequency of the MTR line.
One of the first passengers on the new line was the Governor, Sir Edward Youde.
“Urban Hong Kong as it is today would be unthinkable without the MTR,” Sir Edward said before unveiling a plaque at the station to officially open the line.
Sir Edward told nearly 2,000 guests at the ceremony that the major part of the Island line was completed ahead of schedule and within budget despite difficult working conditions.
And the $11 billion line’s section between Central and Sheung Wan is targeted for completion in June next year — again, three months ahead of schedule, he said.

Sir Edward said MTR engineers could be proud of their achievement.
It was sad to see many of them going as the major construction activities ended, he said.
MTR Corp will lay off about 800 engineers from its project and engineering unit over the next two years.

Sir Edward said the MTR “may have its problems but it is undoubtedly an important long-term asset for our community” for many generations to come.
“I’m sure the MTR is going to have a major effect on the Eastern district which will add to the effect which the Island Eastern Corridor has already had,” Sir Edward said later, during a tour of the district.

One of the problems Sir Edward may have had in mind is the MTR Corp’s debt, which stood at $17.7 billion at the end of last year and may reach $26.5 billion within a few years.
Cumulative losses have depleted the corporation’s share capital from $5.2 billion to $2.8 billion over the years — and this capital may disappear altogether within a few years if new equity is not injected.
The Financial Secretary, Sir John Bremridge, who also attended Friday’s ceremony, said the Government may decide next month what action to take to tackle MTR Corp’s debt problem.

Despite mounting concern over the corporation’s financial position, the chairman of MTR Corp, Mr Wilfrid Newton, said the Island line marks an “important milestone” in the railway system’s 10-year history.
Speaking before the opening ceremony, Mr Newton thanked the public for its tolerance during the disturbances caused by construction of the line, as well as those who helped make the new line a reality.
But the opening of the Island line signals problems for the other transport operators in the area.
Minibus operators cut their fares moments after the line opened, by 50 cents to $2.00 for the trip between Causeway Bay and Shau Kei Wan during off-peak hours.
This reduction increased to $1 in the evening rush hour — minibus commuters were charged $2.50 for an air-conditioned trip on the same route, against the previous $3.50 price tag.
One operator, Mr Leung Kwai-hin, said he expected a loss in income of $70 to $80 on each eight-hour shift, which previously earned him about $180 to $200.
Mr Leung said operators would not be worried about the MTR if they could compete on a fairer basis, for instance with an easing of restrictions on use of the coastal corridor.

No accurate statistics could be obtained on the initial effect of the new MTR line on its other rivals, but bus passengers reported a drop in Cross-Harbour Tunnel bus patronage to Eastern during the evening rush hours on Friday.
The China Motor Bus Co traffic manager, Mr Peter Stobart, said the firm’s bus service will be reviewed in September.
Meanwhile, he said, the company will “run as many buses as we can” and let members of the public make their choice.


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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation opens the Island line in 1985 — from the SCMP archive

Turnstiles at one of the MTR’s stations keep turning as the Island line formally opened on May 31, 1985. Photo: Robin Lam 

Tai Koo station on the opening day of the Island line. Photo: P.Y. Tang

A front page clipping from SCMP’s June 1, 1985 issue. Photo: SCMP

Workers celebrate the linking of the eastern and western tunnels between Admiralty and Sheung Wan via Central. Photo: Chan Kiu

Hong Kong’s then-governor Sir Edward Youde (second from the front left) in Tai Koo station. Photo: P.Y. Tang

An advert for the MTR Island line from SCMP’s May 31, 1985 issue. Photo: SCMP

Controllers of China Motor Bus keeping order in a Cross-Harbour Tunnel bus stop as the company’s competitor, the MTR Corporation, opened its Island line. Photo: Robin Lam

Hong Kong’s MTR Corp fined HK$19.2 million and will offer half-price fares for day

The MTR Corporation has been fines HK$19.2 million after technical failures caused a five-hour service suspension on the Tseung Kwan O line. Photo: Handout

The disruption caused chaos for passengers, such as those at the Tiu Keng Leng MTR station.  Photo: Handout

Naval guns, crowds welcome Queen Elizabeth to Hong Kong in 1975 – from the SCMP archive

A historic moment for Hong Kong as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive at Kai Tak Airport on May 4, 1975. Photo: Chan Kiu

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip arrive at Kai Tak airport on May 4, 1975. Photo: SCMP

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip at the Queen’s Pier during their visit to Hong Kong on May 4, 1975. Photo: Chan Kiu 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on board the government yacht Lady Maurine on May 4, 1975. Photo: SCMP

Queen Elizabeth II leaving for Government House in a limousine after a welcoming ceremony at the City Hall on May 4, 1975. Photo: SCMP

Queen Elizabeth II (left), accompanied by the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, visit a street market at Graham Street in Central during a royal tour of Hong Kong on May 5, 1975. Photo: SCMP

Grief in Singapore as founding father Lee Kuan Yew dies in 2015 – from SCMP archive

Singaporeans pay their respects to Lee Kuan Yew days after his death on March 23, 2015. File photo: EPA-EFE

The remains of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew lie in state at the National University of Singapore on March 29, 2015. Photo: Reuters

Members of Lee Kuan Yew’s family carry the former Singaporean leader’s photo during his funeral on March 29, 2015. File photo: AP

Singaporeans at a shopping mall observe a minute of silence to pay respects to former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew during his state funeral on March 29, 2015. Photo: EPA-EFE

Singapore’s then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pauses while giving a eulogy for his father Lee Kuan Yew. File photo: Reuters

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Hong Kong

Transport

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On this day 40 years ago, Hong Kong MTR’s Island line opened to the public, transporting more than 136,000 people within the first five hours


On this day 40 years ago, Hong Kong MTR’s Island line opened to the public, transporting more than 136,000 people within the first five hours.


From our archives

MTR Corporation

Hong Kong society

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}On This Day | Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation opens the Island line in 1985 — from the SCMP archive

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}On this day 40 years ago, Hong Kong MTR’s Island line opened to the public, transporting more than 136,000 people within the first five hours

Massive roll-up as new line opens

On This Day | Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation opens the Island line in 1985 — from the SCMP archive

On this day 40 years ago, Hong Kong MTR’s Island line opened to the public, transporting more than 136,000 people within the first five hours