Hong Kong MTR’s new South Island Line to run by end of year
MTR Corp claims big savings on journeys to south of Hong Kong Island, but district councillor condemns lack of discounts for locals
![The new line will use fully automated trains. Photo: Felix Wong](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/images/methode/2016/11/21/61be2e68-afcf-11e6-b17d-d6b2ebc6f34a_1280x720.jpg?itok=UVo01XQ3)
Driverless trains will run from the end of next month on the South Island Line, serving 170,000 people each day.
But, to the dismay of the Southern District residents, there will not be any special concessions for commuters there.
Announcing the fares for the long-awaited line, Jeny Yeung Mei-chun, MTR Corporation’s commercial director, said the corporation set prices according to the existing distance-based fare structure. The line’s opening date has yet to be fixed as the rail operator is preparing a final report for the government’s approval.
The HK$16.9 billion line will stretch from South Horizons on Ap Lei Chau to Admiralty via Lei Tung, Wong Chuk Hang and Ocean Park. The fare from Admiralty to Ocean Park will be HK$5.3 and HK$6.7 to South Horizons, taking four minutes and 11 minutes respectively.
![Wong Chuk Hang is one of the new stations on the line. Photo: Felix Wong Wong Chuk Hang is one of the new stations on the line. Photo: Felix Wong](https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/660x385/public/images/methode/2016/11/21/9b8ce2aa-afd5-11e6-b17d-d6b2ebc6f34a_660x385.jpg?itok=IQRihKEQ)
Currently, Citybus route 629 costs HK$10.6 from Admiralty to Ocean Park while route 590A and 90B cost HK$6.5 and HK$5.8 respectively from Admiralty to South Horizons.
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