Living in Hong Kong

The MTR decided not to include an MTR station in Happy Valley for its Southern Line which will commence its construction in 2010.

I don't live in the area so I am not sure what impact this decision brings to residents in the area. However, for people who find travel time from Happy Valley to say, Admiralty or Aberdeen long enough, I think this a big blow for them.

Additional cost (between HK$1.6 billion and HK2.8 billion) and significant adjustment on construction time (between 10 months and 31 months) are among the reasons for rejecting the proposal.

Happy Valley is one of areas in Hong Kong island served by double decker buses and minibuses (trams too) and where many residents have cars. But the problem isn't solved just because of accessible bus lines. Traffic congestion is a notorious in the area. I should know better because I used to live in South Horizons and it takes a lot of time to get out of the Happy Valley end of Aberdeen tunnel to Causeway Bay. Congestion is specially tough in the Queens Road East and Morisson Hill Road during rush hour. (Hey, let me ask you, why is it called rush hour if traffic remains standstill?)

It's sad not to see a Happy Valley MTR Station as it might address the traffic problem in the area. But if MTR thinks it's not worth investing in such subway station then so be it. Perhaps pedestrianization and streamlining of routes (esp on horse race days?) could ease the traffic woes.

Photo credit: HardieBoys