The Government today invited relevant system suppliers and operators to submit expressions of interest (EOI) regarding the smart and green mass transit systems (SGMTS) at Kai Tak and East Kowloon.

The Transport & Logistics Bureau said the EOI invitation is designed to help gauge the market’s level of interest and its capabilities with regard to constructing and operating these two SGMTS.

It noted that the Government has been taking forward preparation work for the projects following an announcement by the Chief Executive in his 2023 Policy Address that they would be implemented.

Consultancy agreements were awarded in mid-2024 to conduct investigations and design work for the projects.

The Kai Tak SGMTS is about 3.5 km long and involves five proposed stations to connect the former runway area of Kai Tak to the Kai Tak MTR Station.

It will strengthen connectivity among the area’s residential and commercial developments, as well as its tourism, cultural, recreational, sports and community facilities. It will also connect with the existing railway network.

With eight proposed stations, the 7 km-long East Kowloon SGMTS will provide a convenient and fast feeder service for the uphill areas of Kwun Tong, and facilitate access to the Choi Hung and Yau Tong MTR stations.

The ultimate aim is to improve East Kowloon’s overall transportation and unleash development potential.

It will pass through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat and Ma Yau Tong, serving over 300,000 residents in these areas.

For the Kai Tak project, the Government plans to advance the tender invitation and statutory processes in tandem with the detailed design stage of the project. It hopes to bring the tender invitation forward to next year, with the goal of awarding the works contract in 2026.

As for the East Kowloon project, the Government plans to invite tenders in 2026, and aims to award the works contract in 2027.

The bureau said the views obtained via the EOI exercise will help it to gain a deeper understanding of various technical aspects of the two projects, ranging from system characteristics and operational capabilities to maintenance and repair requirements.

The exercise will also enable the bureau to gather views from the market on a delivery mode that meets public interests as well as being financially viable. Such information will serve as a reference point for establishing the technical details, delivery mode and financial arrangements at a later stage.

The Government said it encourages suppliers and operators to submit EOIs, and plans to conduct online briefing sessions with interested companies.

The submission deadline for the Kai Tak EOI exercise is noon on October 24, and for the East Kowloon project the EOI deadline is noon on November 7.

The bureau added that the EOI exercise is neither a tender exercise, nor part of the procurement exercise.