HONG Kong's Mass Transit Railway yesterday carried its six billionth passenger since the first train ran on September 30, 1979.
The magic figure was reached between 2.30 pm and 3 pm, though with more than 30 trains running it was impossible to say who was passenger number six billion.
The MTR arranged its celebrations for the Tsuen Wan line train which pulled into Central at exactly 3 pm.
Passengers were informed of their exalted status over the tannoy, and they made a beeline for the souvenir photograph frames being handed out on the station concourse.
''This is quite a surprise,'' said Hong Kong International School teacher Mary Bruns. ''I'm off to pay my taxes otherwise I would not be on the train.
''We've lived at Fortress Hill since before the line was built. We suffered when they were blasting through the rock so I think I will give the frame to my husband. He was the one who could not get to sleep.'' Deputy operations director Roger Kynaston said the MTR was one of the busiest railways in the world, but also one of the most reliable.
