Project Details /

Benefits

The SCL will extend the railway network to areas not yet served by the MTR. It will provide direct and convenient interchanges to facilitate efficient and reliable access to every corner of the territory, bringing with it substantial social and economic benefits. It is forecast that in 2021, more than 1 million passenger trips will be made on the SCL per day, creating HK$4.1 billion worth of transport benefits per year. It will generate great value to the community by:

  • Providing a fast, comfortable and reliable railway service that saves travelling time

  • Relieving road traffic congestion and pressure on the Tai Wai to Kowloon Tong section of the East Rail Line, the Shek Kip Mei to Prince Edward section of the Kwun Tong Line and the Nathan Road corridor of the Tsuen Wan Line
    How can the SCL relieve the congestion on the East Rail Line?
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    Congestion on East Rail Line

    Currently, the busiest section on the East Rail Line (EAL) is the section running from Tai Wai Station to Kowloon Tong Station. To head to the urban districts, railway commuters in North New Territories or Ma On Shan must pass this section.

    Since these passengers cannot switch to another railway line until they reach Kowloon Tong Station, a bottleneck is formed in the railway section between Tai Wai and Kowloon Tong.
    Tuen Ma Line – To Open a New Railway Corridor from New Territories to Urban Districts

    Building a new railway line can most effectively divert the passengers using the Tai Wai to Kowloon Tong section and therefore resolve the bottleneck problem of the EAL.

    "Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section" of the SCL will join the West Rail Line and Ma On Shan Line to form the Tuen Ma Line, taking passengers from Tai Wai Station directly to East Kowloon or Hong Kong Island East via Diamond Hill Station.

    With the commissioning of Tuen Ma Line in mid 2019, it is estimated that about 20% of south-bound passengers of the EAL will change to use Tuen Ma Line heading to East Kowloon. This will alleviate the congestion between Tai Wai and Kowloon Tong.
    To Enhance Carrying Capacity from New Territories to Kowloon

    With the completion of the SCL, the overall carrying capacity of the railway system from the New Territories to the urban districts will be greatly enhanced.

    Upon the full completion of the SCL, the overall railway carrying capacity between North/ East New Territories and Kowloon will be significantly increased. The Tuen Ma Line will run in 8-car train configuration. Upon the completion of 8-car train conversion, the passenger capacity of West Rail Line and Ma On Shan Line has been increased by 14% and 100% respectively. Train frequency of East Rail Line during peak hours is allowed to be increased to around 2 minutes. With the new signalling system and more frequent train service, train cars offered by the East Rail Line service will be similar to the current service level.

  • Acting as a catalyst for the redevelopment of old districts that currently rely on road transport, such as Hung Hom, Ho Man Tin, To Kwa Wan and Ma Tau Wai, by providing them with a fast and convenient rail service

  • Providing convenient access to the multi-purpose stadium and other recreational facilities in the Kai Tak New Development Area, thereby spurring the growth of tourism and commercial activities and creating new employment opportunities
  • Increasing the value of properties along the railway corridor

  • Reducing noise and roadside air pollution by reducing road traffic, thereby improving the quality of life, as the trains are electrically powered and emission-free