Hong Kong Railway Corporation

Hong Kong Railway Corporation (é¦™æ¸¯é?µè·¯å…¬å?¸) will be the name of the entity created by the merger of KCRC and MTRC on 2 December 2007. An operational effect of this merger will be that the KCR and MTR will remove ticket gates at key interchange stations (Kowloon Tong Station, East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Nam Cheong Station, and Mei Foo Station). It is proposed that there will be more retail activity in station areas; and the fasttracking of proposed railway lines such as the Shatin to Central Link. This merger will help rail compete with other modes of transport such as taxis, minibuses and buses. The government strongly encourages this merger since rail travel is regarded as the most environmentally friendly mode of transport available; even though some existing KCR rolling stock emit pollution.

Network
The future Hong Kong Railway Corporation network will consist of the following lines:
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*KCR Light Rail
*Shatin to Central Link
*South Island Line
*West Island Line

Trains
Currently, all KCR East Rail trains (and interior-Newsline Express logos) are being refurbished. The KCR logo will be removed on trains and all signs with company logos will be replaced by name tags of the lines (e.g. East Rail, Island Line).

Fare reduction
All adult Octopus Card holders will be the first to benefit from the merger. Student and Concessionary Octopus holders are not likely to benefit from the merger. Student Octopus holders will continue to pay the current reduced conceessionary fares on the MTR network.

Uniforms

Rich shades of navy blue, khaki and highlights of yellow characterise are the future uniforms of Hong Kong Railway Corporation designed by Hong Kong fashion guru William Tang.

The uniforms of the public-facing railway operations staff will easily catch the eye of the
millions of people who take trains every day, achieved by a clever interplay of yellow with
base colours that project a friendly, approachable demeanour. Compared to MTR's current "sailor-type" and KCR's "tough-style" uniforms, it is a huge improvement.

Mr Andrew McCusker, Operations Director of MTR Corporation, said, “We have taken the chance to reflect in these new uniforms the idea of harmony – One company, One team. And indeed, they are the result of a year’s teamwork under the guiding inspiration of William Tang that very much involved the staff of the MTR Corporation and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) in the design process.”

Designer William Tang, known for his versatility and ability to deliver powerful expressions on the catwalk, worked from a management brief that placed greater emphasis on a less formal, more customer-friendly look.

Criticism
Rivals point out that only passengers will be getting the most out of the merger. According to South China Morning Post and The Standard (newspapers) in Hong Kong, approximately 500 staff members will lose their job.

Virtual Gaming
Several rail enthusiest groups in Hong Kong have created BVE Trainsim routes for all MTR and several KCR lines. Several routes include real safety and information announcements currerntly used on trains.

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See Also

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