History
On 25 June 2002, the government announced that the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) had won its bid against the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to build and operate the Shatin to Central Link. The route was originally planned to go from Tai Wai Station to Central West Station (a proposed station located under the Mid-Levels).
The KCRC announced modifications to the proposal in 2005, with the East Kowloon portion of the line joining KCR Ma On Shan Rail (Ma On Shan Line) at Tai Wai and West Rail (West Rail Line) at Hung Hom, and the cross-harbour portion joining KCR East Rail (East Rail Line) at Hung Hom. However, the KCRC's proposal had not yet been finalised.
At the same time, the MTRC submitted a new proposal to the government. According to the proposal, Kwun Tong Line would be extended from Yau Ma Tei Station to Whampoa Station in Whampoa Garden. Also, the route of Shatin to Central Link will be built according to the original proposal instead of the KCRC's modified proposal.
On 11 April 2006, MTRC signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Hong Kong Government, the owner of KCRC, to merge the operations of the territory's two railway networks. According to the memorandum, the current MTR lines may be fully integrated with the Shatin to Central Link. Also, the government intends to choose the KCRC's modified proposal to build the railway, that is, extending the current East Rail Line to the Hong Kong Island. However, final decisions will not be made before conducting further studies on the proposal with the MTRC.
On 12 July 2007, both companies announced the new proposal .
Read more about this topic: Sha Tin To Central Link
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