Railways play a key role in the above '5-betters' strategy as they are safe, efficient, reliable, comfortable and environmentally friendly mass carriers. The Government's policy is to accord priority to railway development.

About $100 billion has been committed to six new railways scheduled for completion in the next two to five years. They are the West Rail, the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension, the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link, the KCR Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and the Penny's Bay Rail Link.

To meet Hong Kong's increasing transport needs in a sustainable manner for the next two decades, the Government has formulated a 'Railway Development Strategy 2000' (RDS-2000) based on the findings of the Second Railway Development Study. RDS-2000 maps out a blueprint for the next phase of railway development.

A further $80 billion to $100 billion will be invested to complete six additional new projects between 2008 and 2016 under this new phase of railway expansion. These include the Sha Tin to Central Link, the Island Line Extensions, the Kowloon Southern Link, the Northern Link, the Regional Express Line and the Port Rail Line.

The completion of these projects will expand the present network by at least 70 per cent to over 250 kilometres. More than 70 per cent of the total population and 80 per cent of work places will then be within walking distance of the railway stations, and rail will account for about 45 per cent of the public transport system. This will reduce reliance on road-based transport and help to reduce vehicle pollutant and particulate emissions, which amount to some 600 tonnes a year. The role of Hong Kong as Asia's business centre and its strategic position in the integrated regional economy of the Pearl River Delta will be further consolidated.