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History of the South Island line and West Island line

From Alfawiki
MTR Corporation Limited
IndustryPublic transport
FoundedOctober 1, 1975; 51 years ago (1975-10-01)
Headquarters
Hong Kong
,
Hong Kong
ProductsRail transport services
Websitewww.mtr.com.hk

The development history of the South Island line and West Island line details plans to expand Hong Kong's MTR network toward the southern and western regions of Hong Kong Island, which had no rail coverage prior to 2014. The West Island line was inaugurated as a continuation of the Island line on 28 December 2014. Following this, the South Island line commenced operations on 28 December 2016.[1] Meanwhile, the proposed South Island line (West) remains under planning, with construction anticipated to begin in 2021.[2]

Chronology of South Island line and West Island line
Date Event
1960 Initial proposal for West Island line stations as part of the Island line project
1980 Postponement of West Island line due to demographic aging in Western District and MTRC financial liabilities
2000 Inclusion of West Island line in Railway Development Strategy
2002 MTRC submitted inaugural proposals for both South Island and West Island lines
2003 Executive Council revised South Island line plans in light of Route 4 highway development
Mid- to Late-2003 MTRC conducted feasibility assessments; presented updated South Island line proposal with three route alternatives
2004 Adjustment led to western South Island segment being integrated into the Island Extension
Mid-2004 Legislative Council debated highway versus South Island line projects; government postponed both citing low patronage forecasts and safety concerns from West Rail incidents
2005 MTRC proposed a revised plan dividing the South Island line into eastern and western segments
2007 Government prioritized South Island line (East); Chief Executive announced construction start in 2011 with planned opening in 2015; Executive Council sanctioned final scheme
2009 Executive Council endorsed final plan for West Island line
2011 Legal action initiated by a resident against the government
2014 West Island line began operation
South Island line (West) revisited in Railway Development Strategy 2014, segmented into two parts
Apple Daily disclosed a delay of one and a half years for South Island line opening, later confirmed by MTRC
2016 Commencement of service for South Island line

1960s to 1980s

The Hong Kong government appointed consultant firm Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates to explore mass transit solutions. In September 1967, they recommended a mass transit railway system that included an Island line stretching from Kennedy Town to Chai Wan. By 1980, only the segment between Sheung Wan and Chai Wan received approval due to MTRC's outstanding debts and the aging demographic profile in the Western District. The government secured ground-level spaces within private buildings through public easements to reserve areas for potential future station entrances.

Early 2000s

Within the Railway Development Strategy 2000 published by the Transport Bureau, the West Island line was proposed to link the Tseung Kwan O line with a portion of the existing Island line, thereby establishing a new rail corridor.

2002 proposal

In May 2002, MTR Corporation Limited (MTRC) put forward its initial plan for the South Island and West Island lines, aiming to enhance tourism in Aberdeen. The West Island line was designed as an extension of the current Island line.

The South Island line was envisioned as a semicircular route featuring nine stations along the southern part of Hong Kong Island, reaching Aberdeen. It would connect with the Island line at University and Wan Chai stations. Key stops along the route included Cyberport, Wah Fu, South Horizons, Lei Tung, Wong Chuk Hang, Ocean Park, and Happy Valley.

The West Island line extension was proposed to be built in two stages: Phase one would extend from Sheung Wan by adding Sai Ying Pun and University stations—the latter serving as an interchange with the South Island line. Phase two planned to continue to Kennedy Town with a depot near that station, dependent on land availability from reclamation efforts in the western area.

On 21 January 2003, Hong Kong’s Executive Council revised the South Island line plans to reduce costs and align with Route 4 development objectives. Nevertheless, several issues persisted: without reclamation in the west, Phase two could not include Kennedy Town station; tunneling beneath Des Voeux Road West raised environmental and traffic concerns; Aberdeen station was omitted; and the Wan Chai interchange was insufficient for cross-harbour journeys requiring multiple transfers.

Despite these limitations, the Executive Council approved MTRC to proceed with planning Phase 1 of the West Island line.

2003 proposal

Following public feedback, MTRC launched a feasibility study in mid-2003 to explore more cost-efficient enhancements and evaluate impacts on other transport modes. The updated proposal released in November 2003 presented three alignment alternatives for the South Island line to resolve earlier shortcomings.

The western segment of the South Island line was redefined as the West Island line—a medium capacity rail running from Sheung Wan to Wong Chuk Hang with an interchange at Sheung Wan connecting to the Island line. The South Island line itself also adopted a medium capacity system.

South Island line

  • South Horizons
  • Lei Tung
  • Wong Chuk Hang (Interchange with West Island line)
  • Ocean Park
  • Happy Valley (Option C)
  • Wan Chai (Interchange with )
  • Admiralty (Interchange with & )

West Island line

  • Sheung Wan (Interchange with )
  • Sai Ying Pun
  • University
  • Cyberport
  • Wah Fu
  • Aberdeen
  • Wong Chuk Hang (Interchange with South Island line)

2004 proposal

In March 2004, MTRC presented a Revised Alignment Scheme where the South Island line would extend from South Horizons to Admiralty, maintaining three alignment options. The West Island line was divided: its northern portion became an extension of the Island line, while the southern segment remained an independent route.

A brief extension linking Sheung Wan to Sai Ying Pun facilitated transfers to the West Island line.

South Island line

  • South Horizons
  • Lei Tung
  • Wong Chuk Hang (Connection with West Island line)
  • Ocean Park
  • Happy Valley (Options B, C)
  • Wan Chai (Interchange to ) (Option C)
  • Admiralty (Interchange to & ) (Options A, B, C)

West Island line

  • Sai Ying Pun (Interchange to )
  • HKU
  • Kennedy Town
  • Queen Mary Hospital (Planned Station)
  • Cyberport
  • Wah Fu
  • Tin Wan (Planned Station)
  • Aberdeen
  • Wong Chuk Hang (Connection with South Island line)

Postponement of the project

On 28 May 2004, the Legislative Council’s Transport Panel examined the progress of the West and South Island lines along with the Route 4 highway link.

Various residential, environmental, and professional groups advocated for constructing rail infrastructure instead of expanding highways. They emphasized advantages such as environmental protection, easing congestion in Aberdeen Tunnel, promoting sustainable growth, and conserving the coastline on Hong Kong Island’s western and southern edges.

On the other hand, some transport providers and related organizations opposed the rail proposals, expressing concerns over increased rivalry among transport modes and potential job reductions in road-based services. A few panel members questioned whether the anticipated population growth in the southern region warranted new rail lines and stressed the importance of comprehensive development plans for the Southern District before proceeding.

Certain members recognized that these rail lines might enhance local tourism but recommended government oversight of transport operations upon launch to address operator apprehensions.

Officials from the government pointed out low patronage figures and incidents on the West Rail line as reasons to conduct further planning to ensure adequate demand and cost efficiency. As a result, both West Island and South Island line projects were deferred in favor of more detailed highway planning.

2005 revised proposal

On 25 February 2005, the Transport Panel of the Legislative Council reviewed an updated proposal for the West and South Island lines submitted by MTR on 22 February.

The South Island line offered three route options:

  • Option A: Ocean ParkHappy ValleyWan ChaiAdmiralty
The priciest alternative but covering the widest catchment area.
  • Option B: Ocean ParkAdmiralty (without intermediate stops)
The most economical choice that shortens travel time from Southern District to CBD.
  • Option C: Ocean ParkAdmiralty (with potential future extensions to Wan Chai and Happy Valley)
Similar to Option B but allowing for subsequent expansion.

South Island line (West)

Separated from the West Island line in this latest plan, this section runs between University and Wong Chuk Hang:

South Island line (East)

According to the revised plan, South Island line (East) retains three options beginning at South Horizons:

West Island line

Within this proposal, the West Island line is confined to extending the Island Line from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town, while its western segment is integrated into the South Island line:

Discussions on the 2005 new plan

The MTR emphasized several benefits of the 2005 proposal:

  1. Avoids reclamation work, thereby minimizing air and noise pollution
  2. Encourages tourism expansion in the Southern District, supported by plans for nine new hotels near Wong Chuk Hang and the redevelopment of Ocean Park

Representatives from the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau indicated that investment choices would be influenced by tourism development in the Southern District, particularly following Ocean Park’s redevelopment application.

In February 2007, the government placed the South Island line as the fourth priority among future rail projects, postponing its public launch beyond 2015 and raising concerns among local district councillors.

On 10 October 2007, Chief Executive Donald Tsang declared construction would commence around 2011 with an anticipated opening in 2015. By 27 October, MTR had confirmed stations at Wong Chuk Hang and near Ocean Park but had yet to finalize the alignment through Wan Chai or Happy Valley.

2007 Executive Council scheme

On 18 December 2007, the Executive Council of Hong Kong gave approval to build the eastern section of the South Island line, including five stations but excluding Wan Chai and Happy Valley from the 2005 proposal. This 7-kilometre medium-capacity railway is expected to cover the distance from South Horizons station to Admiralty station in approximately 10 minutes, with projected expenses of HK$10 billion—42% higher than the HK$7 billion estimate made in 2006.

Final approval for extending the West Island line was granted in March 2009. Construction started on 10 August 2009, aiming for completion by 2014, with an estimated budget of HK$15.4 billion.

The development of South Island line (West) has yet to receive confirmation.

In June 2011, a resident of South Horizons initiated a High Court lawsuit against the government seeking to suspend South Island line construction, citing concerns over environmental impact and public safety related to dust and construction workers brought in from outside.

2014 plan on South Island line (West)

The Railway Development Strategy 2014 revisited plans for South Island line (West), with consultants AECOM and MVA recommending its division into two segments:

  • Aberdeen Section: Wah Fu, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang
  • Pokfulam Section: Hong Kong University (HKU), Queen Mary Hospital, Cyberport

The Aberdeen Section was recognized as having higher passenger demand due to its direct connection to Admiralty and the central business district. Tin Wan was newly incorporated, while Queen Mary Hospital was reinstated after being removed in 2004. Nevertheless, this segmented approach faced opposition from Southern District Councillors and local residents. Some councillors, including Lo Kin-hei and Henry Chai, voiced criticism especially after MTRC acquired topside development rights at Wong Chuk Hang Depot, with housing development profits estimated at HK$50 billion.

The final Railway Development Strategy 2014 report reaffirmed the necessity for South Island line (West) but postponed decisions regarding full-scale construction. The projected cost is HK$25 billion (2013 prices), with planning scheduled between 2021 and 2026, dependent on progress in redeveloping Wah Fu Estate.

South Island line (East) Development and Opening Postponement

On 18 May 2011, the Hong Kong government and MTR Corporation formalized the Project Agreements along with the Entrustment Agreement concerning the South Island line and the Kwun Tong line extension. The South Island line (East) was planned in alignment with the 2007 blueprint.

Initially targeted for a 2015 launch, the South Island line encountered setbacks. In May 2014, reports emerged suggesting a delay of eighteen months, which MTR initially refuted. Subsequently, the Transport and Housing Bureau acknowledged construction slowdowns, prompting demands from Legislative and District Council representatives for greater openness. MTR attributed the postponement to intricate expansion efforts at Admiralty station, involving integration with dense urban infrastructure, stressing safety priorities while aiming to meet the original 2015 deadline. By November 2014, the anticipated opening was adjusted to December 2016.

In October 2016, MTR chairman Frederick Ma mentioned a possible delay of up to three months. Nevertheless, by November, he confirmed that after resolving substantial engineering difficulties at Admiralty station, the line would commence operations before year-end. The official announcement of the South Island line’s opening was made by MTR chief executive Lincoln Leong on 28 December 2016.

West Island line construction and opening delay

The West Island line’s construction started in 2009 with an expected completion date in 2014. However, in May 2014, MTR Corporation declared a postponement caused by unstable ground conditions around Sai Ying Pun station entrances located on Queen's Road West and First Street. The use of ground-freezing techniques for excavation contributed to delays in making the station operational. MTR proposed launching the West Island line as scheduled but without Sai Ying Pun station being functional initially; this plan received government approval.

Commencement

The West Island line began service on 28 December 2014, with its inaugural train departing Kennedy Town at 06:00 while bypassing Sai Ying Pun station. Sai Ying Pun station officially opened later on 29 March 2015.

The South Island line commenced operations on 28 December 2016, with its first train leaving South Horizons at 05:55. Although these new lines enhanced transit connectivity, they also generated dissatisfaction among bus passengers. For instance, commuters from Wah Kwai lost direct bus routes to Central and Pok Fu Lam Road—including access to Queen Mary Hospital—and were compelled to switch via crowded or slower alternatives. Passengers traveling along Victoria Road experienced decreased service frequency and less convenient routing following cancellations and adjustments to Citybus operations. During the COVID-19 outbreak, further reductions occurred such as discontinuation of express NWFB Route 590 and frequency cuts on routes like 43M and NWFB Route 595, adversely affecting residents’ access to key destinations including Aberdeen.

See also

Further reading

Government and Legislative Documents

Official Announcements

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rthk20161205
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rds2014
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