- For MTR as a metro system, see MTR. This article is about the operator of the system.
MTR Corporation Limited (Traditional Chinese: 地鐵公司), previously known as Mass Transit Railway Corporation (地下鐵路公司) is a company listed on the Hong Kong Exchange (SEHK: 0066 LSE: MTR) and included in the Hang Seng Index. It is the company that owns and runs the MTR metro system. It also invests and builds railways in different parts in the world.
History of the Corporation
The Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) was established in 1975 as a government-owned statutory corporation in order to oversee the initial construction of the Hong Kong Mass Transport System, and later to run and manage the functioning transport system. On 30 June 2000 the MTRC was succeeded by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL). As with the MTRC, the MTRCL's principal business is to operate the mass transit railway system. Following a successful initial public offering, the MTRCL was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 5 October 2000, however the government maintains a majority stake in the MTRCL.
Operations
World-wide House, built by the MTR corporation Limited.
The MTR Corporation Limited is responsible for the operation of MTR in Hong Kong. Besides railway operations, the MTRCL is also actively involved in the development of key residential and commercial projects above existing stations and along new line extensions as well as many other commercial activities associated with the railway. The most recent of such developments was the large Maritime Square shopping centre development which was built in conjunction with Tsing Yi station. The MTRCL is also involved in the letting of retail and poster advertising space, ATM banking facilities, and personal telecommunication services. It also provides consultancy services to organizations worldwide.
Property Management
- Main article: MTR Properties
Property is one of the main businesses of the MTR. The MTR tries to develop suitable sites related to their new railway projects and their existing railway. For instance, the reclaimed land situated in West Kowloon that is owned by the MTR will be developed into an area with residential, office and retail space. Two of Hong Kong's largest banks, HSBC and the Bank of China are to have office towers there. Furthermore, will be more than 7,000 housing units in the development. The MTR also owns several shopping centres, as well as the new International Finance Centre.
Shopping Centres
The MTR Corporation invested heavily to develop large scale shopping centres around MTR stations. An example of such a shopping centre is Maritime Square (青衣城) located at Tsing Yi station. Maritime Square is a nautical-themed mall in which there are supermarkets, boutiques, bookstores, a cinema, and restaurants. Since Tsing Yi station serves as the transportation hub for Tsing Yi, Maritime Square is also easily accessible by other transportation means including buses and taxis. Other shopping centers developed and managed by the corporation include Paradise Mall (杏花新城), Telford Plaza (德福廣場), Luk Yeung Galleria (綠楊坊) and The Lane (連理街).
Operations outside Hong Kong
On 24 November 2004, it was revealed that the MTRC (together with GNER) is one of the main players in acquiring the South Eastern Trains franchise in the United Kingdom.
The company conducted a feasibility report to build a light rail in Macao. The company concluded initials concession agreement to build phase 2 of the Line 4 of Shenzhen Metro, and to operate the whole line on a BOT basis. The company is also exploring business opportunities in Beijing Subway and a metro system in Wuhan.
Proposed MTRCL-KCRC merger
There has been some discussion of merging the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), which is also government-owned, and the MTR to make the territory's transport system more efficient. The MTR backs such a merge while the KCRC opposes the plan. In March 2004, the Hong Kong government officially encouraged the two organizations to merge.
See also
