The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation is actively considering measures to boost West Rail patronage by drawing up more effective marketing strategies and improving the connectivity and accessibility of its stations.

Responding to media enquiries on the KCRC's business prospects, the Environment, Transport & Works Bureau said today the company is operating on prudent commercial principles under the KCRC Ordinance.

To promote the West Rail, the Government has facilitated discussion between the KCRC and the Mass Transit Railway on interchange discounts. The two have since May 1 jointly offered a flat interchange discount of $1.20.

The Government will also continue to facilitate discussion between the KCRC and franchised bus and minibus operators for more inter-modal discounts and better feeder services.

Travel patterns to change

The opening of new railways will substantially increase the total public transport capacity along the rail corridors, and there will be changes in travel patterns when passengers will be attracted to use the new railways.

Hence, it is necessary to make appropriate adjustments to the other public transport services to meet the change in passenger demand, maintain the efficiency of the public transport system, reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment.

We have implemented a bus rationalisation plan for the commissioning of the West Rail to reduce excessive bus trips between the northwest New Territories and the urban area.

An indispensable link

Like other infrastructure projects, the financial viability of the West Rail should be examined on a long-term basis. It will form part of an indispensable link between the West and East Rails which will become a circular route following the completion of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Kowloon Southern Link and Northern Link under the Railway Development Strategy 2000.

So far, the West Rail has helped met the economic, social and recreational needs of the community and served as an important transportation infrastructure to facilitate future development of the northwest New Territories.

With growing ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland, road transport services will grow to meet the increasing demand, bringing more competition for the East Rail's Lo Wu services.

The bureau called on the KCRC to step up measures to increase the attractiveness of the Lo Wu services.