The government is looking for ways to better integrate the proposed Sha Tin-Central rail link with existing MTR lines following the railways' merger, a move other transport operators say will hit their competitiveness.
A government source yesterday identified Admiralty, Diamond Hill and Central as the stations where better linkages could be achieved.
'The Sha Tin-Central line was a project proposed with competition between the MTR Corp and KCRC. We knew then that it was not ideal,' the source said.
'We will soon revisit the Sha Tin-Central line again, taking into consideration the development of southeast Kowloon, its population as well as other land-use issues.'
The project, awarded to the KCRC in 2004, was planned to run from Tai Wai station on the East Rail line to a new Central station near Upper Albert Road, with eight intermediate stops including Diamond Hill, Kai Tak, To Kwa Wan, Ho Man Tin, Hunghom, Causeway Bay, Convention Centre and East Admiralty.
The MTR Corp proposed building an extension from Yau Ma Tei to Whampoa, with an interchange at Ho Man Tin connecting the two rail lines. After the merger it is possible to offer more direct and even multiple interchanges.