Running a reliable railway

The commercial success of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation's metro is outlined. The key to the success has been combining extensions with property development. MTR's rail-plus-property model is being exported to China, to fund the construction of Line 4 of the Shenzhen metro. The Hong Kong MTR operates with a 99.9% reliability rate. A system of reliability-centred maintenance has been implemented at the Kowloon Bay depot. The early project management associated with the construction of the MTR is described and compared with the construction of the Jubilee Line Extension, London, UK. The new lines to the airport on Lantau island and to the Disneyland site are discussed. LTR is looking outside Hong Kong for growth prospects and has the concession to run the Shenzhen Line 4 for 30 years. It is also participating in a Public Private Partnership contract for the construction of Beijing Line 4. MTR has also been selling consultancy services around the region. MTR has plans for expansion into Europe and has entered into joint ventures with local partners to bid for two London commuter franchises, Integrated Kent and Thameslink/Great Northern.