Hi all, Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Rail (MTR) is widely regarded as one of the most efficient and sustainable transit systems in the world. Its extensive network transports over 5.6 million passengers every weekday. What’s so unique about it? There are two key features worth mentioning here. First, it is a profitable transit system. Many of the world’s urban railways are heavily subsidized by government funding, whereas Hong Kong’s MTR runs an impressive surplus. Though ridership is high, profit is not driven by passenger tickets or marketing but by its strategy of integrating railway infrastructure with urban development. Interestingly, since its inception in the 1970s, the MTR Corporation has also been a real estate developer. This means that in addition to providing mass transit services, the Corporation also directs the city’s sustainable growth and development. Their business model is called Rail Plus Property, where railway expansion is integrated with property investment. In other words, the money that is made from property development is used to fund the construction and operation of the railway system. This is a self-sustaining model for transit infrastructure development, and one that has gained the attention of many countries around the world, who come to Hong Kong to study it. Second, sustainability is always top of mind. The Hong Kong government has set an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2050. They are also aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. They are always looking for new tools, ideas, and technologies that can improve their service, enhance efficiency, and support their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. For example, the green design of MTR Hin Keng Station made it the first railway station in the world to receive an ‘Excellent’ rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) In-Use certification. Also, to support renewable energy, solar PV panels have been installed at stations, depots, and shopping malls. One of its depots is equipped with over 2,100 flexible solar PV panels, making it the largest flexible solar panel system in a single building in Hong Kong. In addition to all of that, they are in the process of electrifying their bus fleet. Sustainability, innovation, and community are at the core of Hong Kong’s transit success. To learn more, click here and here.
