|
| Mass Transit Railway - MTR
Item 4 on 9
Guide
Transportation (Subway)
Area related
Hong Kong (China)
| |  | |
| Description |  |
|
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) underground and overground network is the fastest way to get around the territory, but what you gain in speed you lose in views and (at least for short distances) price.
There are ten lines (including the airport express) plus a network of modern tram lines operated by the MTR in the North West New Territories. The most important line for many visitors is the busy Tsuen Wan Line (red), which tunnels from Central to Kowloon and down Nathan Road towards Tsuen Wan in the New Territories and the Island Line (blue) which runs along the north coast of the Island. The new Tung Chung Line (orange) is the fastest route to Lantau and one of the cheapest ways to the airport when coupled with the S1 shuttle bus stationed at Tung Chung MTR station. The line also provides a link to Hong Kong Disneyland via a change at Sunny Bay station. All signs are bilingual in Chinese and English and all announcements are made in Cantonese, Mandarin and English so tourists should not have a problem using the rail system. Should you get lost, staff in the station control room usually speak some English so they would be able to help you out.
Most underground MTR stations have one Hang Seng Bank branch (except for the massive Hong Kong/Central station, which has two). Since they're a common feature, unambiguous and easy to find, they're a good place to tell people to meet you.
Note that in Hong Kong, a subway is an underground walkway, not an underground railway, as in most English speaking countries outside of North America. While many of the trains travel underground, there are also many stations whose trains travel above on raised platforms.
Major Stations in MTR system:
* Island Line (Blue): Sheung Wan, Central, Causeway Bay.
* Tsuen Wan Line (Red): Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok, Shum Shui Po.
* Kwun Tong Line (Green): Mongkok, Wong Tai Sin, Choi Hung(transition of mini - bus to Sai Kung), Yau Tong.
* Tseung Kwan O Line (Purple): Yau Tong, Hang Hau.
* Tung Chung Line (Orange): Hong Kong, Sunny Bay (exchange for Disneyland Line), Tung Chung.
* West Rail Line (Violet): Yeun Long, Long Ping, Tin Shui Wai (exchange Light Rail to Wetland Park).
* East Rail Line (Light Blue): East Tsim Sha Tsui, Shatin, Lo Wu.
* Ma On Shan Line (Brown): Che Kung Temple.
The Kowloon Canton Railway has now merged with the MTR.
Octopus card
The Octopus payment card (八達通, Bat Dat Toong in Cantonese, with reference to a saying in Cantonese Sai Tung Bat Dat, which means convenient transport) is the heart of the public transport system. Octopus The Octopus card is a technology proposed in 1992, developed in 1995 and usable since September 1997. It is a contactless smart card. Even inside a wallet or bag, you can tap on card readers and the correct amount will be deducted from money stored. Those who are familiar with London Underground's Oyster card will quickly understand the Octopus card. In addition to being used for all forms of public transport (except most of the red - top minibuses and taxis) Octopus is also accepted for payment in almost all convenience stores, restaurant chains like McDonald's and Cafe de Coral, many vending machines, all roadside parking and some car parks. Some housing estates and schools use the card for identification at entry.
When travelling by MTR and some bus routes, payment by Octopus card can sometimes be cheaper than cash. As it has a fully refundable deposit on the card and on unused cr , it is highly advisable to get an Octopus card when in Hong Kong.
Basic adult Octopus cards cost $150, with $100 face value plus $50 refundable deposit. A $7 service charge applies if the card is returned in less than 3 months. The maximum value that an Octopus card can carry is $1,000. The Octopus card also allows the remaining value to go negative once. For example, you may pay for a ride of $5 with a remaining value of $2, but you cannot use the card again until the value is topped up. The negative value of an Octopus card can go as far as $35.
Your Octopus cards' balance is displayed as you exit the gates after each ride, or after each transaction. The balance can also be checked using a small machine near regular ticket machines in MTR stations.
For travellers, there are three convenient ways to refill a card:
* Add Value machines, usually located next to regular ticket machines in MTR stations. These machines accept cash only.
* Customer service at any MTR or KCR station.
* Merchants that accept Octopus (eg. Mcdonalds, Cafe de Coral, 7 - Eleven).
In addition to the Airport Express Octopus (see above), you can also buy a 24 - hour pass for $50 at any MTR station; however, this is valid only on MTR lines.
| More pictures | |
| Item(s) related | |
|
