Proposed East Kowloon Line Should Be Extended: FTU

The Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) on Tuesday called on the government to consider extending the proposed East Kowloon Line to Lam Tin or Yau Tong, to make it easier for passengers to switch to the main MTR network.

Authorities recently announced they’re considering building an elevated, trackless rapid transit system to connect Choi Hung East with Po Tat in Sau Mau Ping, after scrapping an original plan to build an MTR line in the area due to technical constraints.

FTU lawmaker Bill Tang, who represents Kowloon East, said after meeting with transport officials that the future trains are expected to carry far fewer passengers than a regular MTR train.

He also expressed concern about the future line ending at Po Tat.

"There's a high possibility that in the morning during peak hours, a majority of residents [living in the area] will travel one-way from Po Tat to Choi Hung, and just a few passengers will travel back to Po Tat," he said.

The lawmaker added that it would be much more reasonable for the line to be extended to Lam Tin or Yau Tong, where it can connect to the main MTR network.

The FTU quoted the authorities as saying details of the new line may be released in the middle of this year.