Editing MTR (section)

==History==
{{see also|Kowloon-Canton Railway#History}}

=== Initial proposals ===
[[File:1970 MTR route map en.png|thumb|"Preferred system" route map in 1970]]

During the 1960s, the government of Hong Kong saw a need to accommodate increasing road traffic as Hong Kong's economy grew rapidly. In 1966, British transport consultants Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates were appointed to study the transport system of Hong Kong.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mzBdy6w82psC&q=Freeman%2C+Fox%2C+Wilbur+Smith+&pg=PA141 ''Rail Mass Transit for Developing Countries: Proceedings of the Conference Organized by the Institution of Civil Engineers, and Held in London on 9–10 October 1989''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805070120/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mzBdy6w82psC&lpg=PA141&ots=aP5vsZP35d&dq=Freeman%2C%20Fox%2C%20Wilbur%20Smith%20%26%20Associates%20mtr&pg=PA141#v=onepage&q=Freeman,%20Fox,%20Wilbur%20Smith%20&%20Associates%20mtr&f=true |date=5 August 2016 }}, Thomas Telford, 1990, page 141</ref> The study was based on the projection of the population of Hong Kong for 1986, estimated at 6,868,000. On 1 September 1967, the consultants submitted the ''Hong Kong Mass Transport Study'' to the government, which recommended the construction of a {{convert|40|mi|km|adj=on}} [[rapid transit]] rail system in Hong Kong. The study suggested that four rail lines be developed in six stages, with a completion date set between December 1973 and December 1984.<ref name=initial>{{cite report|author=Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates|title=Hong Kong Mass Transport Study|year=1967}}</ref> Detailed locations of lines and stations were presented in the study. These four lines were the [[Kwun Tong line]] (from [[Mong Kok]] to [[Ma Yau Tong]]), [[Tsuen Wan line]] (from [[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]] to [[Tsuen Wan]]), [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]] (from [[Kennedy Town|Kennedy]] to [[Chai Wan]] Central), and [[East Kowloon line (1970 scheme)|Shatin line]] (from [[Tsim Sha Tsui]] to [[Wo Liu Hang]]).

The study was submitted to the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] on 14 February 1968. The consultants received new data from the 1966 [[Census in Hong Kong|by-census]] on 6 March 1968. A short supplementary report was submitted on 22 March 1968 and amended in June 1968. The by-census indicated that the projected 1986 population was reduced by more than one million from the previous estimate to 5,647,000. The dramatic reduction affected [[town planning]]. The population distribution was largely different from the original study. The projected 1986 populations of [[Castle Peak New Town]], [[Sha Tin New Town]], and, to a lesser extent, [[Tsuen Wan New Town]], were revised downwards, and the plan for a new town in [[Tseung Kwan O]] was shelved. In this updated scenario, the consultants reduced the scale of the recommended system. The supplementary report stated that the originally suggested four tracks between [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty station]] and [[Mong Kok station]] should be reduced to two, and only parts of the Island line, Tsuen Wan line, and Kwun Tong line should be constructed for the initial system. The other lines would be placed in the list of extensions.<ref name="supplementary">{{cite report|author=Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates|title=Hong Kong Mass Transport Study Supplementary Report|year=1968}}</ref> This report led to the final study in 1970.

In 1970, a revised system with four lines was laid out in the British consultants' new report, ''Hong Kong Mass Transit: Further Studies''. The four lines were to be the Kwun Tong line, Tsuen Wan line, Island line, and [[East Kowloon line (1970 scheme)|East Kowloon line]].<ref name="further">{{cite report|author=Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates|title=Hong Kong Mass Transport Further Study|year=1970}}</ref> The lines that were eventually constructed were somewhat different compared to those presented in this report and the ''Hong Kong Mass Transport Study''.

In 1972, the Hong Kong government authorised construction of the ''Initial System'', a {{convert|20|km|mi|adj=on}} system that roughly translates to today's Kwun Tong line between Kwun Tong and Prince Edward, Tsuen Wan line between Mei Foo and Admiralty, and Island line between Sheung Wan and Admiralty. The Mass Transit Steering Committee, chaired by the Financial Secretary [[Philip Haddon-Cave]], began negotiations with four major construction [[consortium|consortia]] in 1973.<ref>{{cite news|title=Talks on underground railway begin today|work=South China Morning Post|agency=Reuters|date=30 August 1973|page=20}}</ref> The government's intention was to tender the entire project, based on the British design, as a single tender at a fixed price. A consortium from Japan, led by [[Mitsubishi]], submitted the only proposal within the government's $5-billion price ceiling.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Loke|first1=Peter|title=Govt to begin tube talks with Japanese|work=South China Morning Post|date=12 December 1973|page=1}}</ref> They signed an agreement to construct the system in early 1974, but in December of the same year, pulled out of the agreement for reasons stemming from fears of the [[1973 oil crisis|oil crisis]].<ref name="thepast">{{cite web|url=http://www.theskytrain.net/hkmtr/Past_History.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007153839/http://www.theskytrain.net/hkmtr/Past_History.htm|archive-date=7 October 2007|title=The History|publisher=Hong Kong Mass Transit InfoCenter|date=27 October 2003|access-date=8 March 2007}}</ref>

=== Modified initial system ===
[[File:MIS route map en.svg|thumb|Modified Initial System's route map]]

Several weeks later, in early 1975, the Mass Transit Steering Group was replaced by the Mass Transport Provisional Authority, which held more executive powers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Executive powers for tube Authority|work=South China Morning Post|date=9 February 1974|page=7}}</ref><ref>Mass Transit Railway ''[[Tramways & Urban Transit|Modern Tramway & Light Rail Transit]]'' April 1980 page 134</ref> It announced that the Initial System would be reduced to {{convert|15.6|km|mi}} and renamed the "Modified Initial System" (now part of the Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan lines). Plans for a single contract were abandoned in favour of 25 engineering contracts and 10 electrical and mechanical contracts. On 7 May 1975 the Legislative Council passed legislation setting up the government-owned Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) to replace the Mass Transport Provisional Authority, the ''Mass Transit Railway Ordinance''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mass transit: 'Ayes' have it|work=South China Morning Post|date=8 May 1975|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tube: the last legal hurdle is removed|work=South China Morning Post|date=8 May 1975|page=4}}</ref>

Construction of the system began on 11 November 1975.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=何佩然 |url= |title=建成之道: 戰後香港的道路發展 |last2=He |first2=Peiran |date=1 January 2008 |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=978-962-209-051-4 |language=en}}</ref> The northern section was completed on 30 September 1979 and was opened on 1 October 1979 by Governor [[Murray MacLehose, Baron MacLehose of Beoch|Murray MacLehose]].<ref name=scmpp18 /> Trains on this route ran from [[Shek Kip Mei station|Shek Kip Mei]] to [[Kwun Tong station|Kwun Tong]] in Phase 1, [[Tsim Sha Tsui station|Tsim Sha Tsui]] to [[Kwun Tong station|Kwun Tong]] in Phase 2 in December 1979, and [[Central station (MTR)|Chater]] to [[Kwun Tong station|Kwun Tong]] in [[Harbour Crossing Tunnel (MTR)|the last phase]], initially in a four-car configuration. The first train drivers were trained on the [[London Underground]].<ref name=scmpp18>{{cite news|title=Mass transit railway is all set to roll|work=South China Morning Post|date=24 September 1979|page=18}}</ref><ref name="thepast" /> It was designed by a consortium of consultants led by [[Sir Ralph Freeman (1911-1998)|Freeman]] [[Charles Fox (civil and railway engineer)|Fox]] [[Hyder Consulting|and Partners]]. On later extensions to the railway the stations were designed under the supervision of [[Roland Paoletti]], the chief architect at MTR.<ref name=Paoletti>{{cite web |url=http://www.architecture.com/NewsAndPress/News/InternationalNews/Press/2002/HongKong-ACityOnTheMove.aspx |title=Hong Kong – A city on the move |publisher=Royal Institute of British Architects |access-date=12 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224153634/http://www.architecture.com/NewsAndPress/News/InternationalNews/Press/2002/HongKong-ACityOnTheMove.aspx |archive-date=24 February 2008}}</ref>

The full Modified Initial System was opened on 12 February 1980 by [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy|Princess Alexandra]], who rode the inaugural train through [[Tsuen Wan line immersed tube|the immersed tube]] beneath [[Victoria Harbour]] to [[Central station (MTR)|Central station]].<ref name="1979annualreport">{{cite book |title=Annual Report 1979 |date=1980 |publisher=Mass Transit Railway Corporation |location=Hong Kong}}</ref> Trains were gradually extended to six cars to accommodate an increase in passenger numbers.

=== Line extensions ===
{{Main|Tsuen Wan line|Island line (MTR){{!}}Island line}}
The government approved construction of the [[Tsuen Wan line]] in 1977, then known as the Tsuen Wan Extension, and works commenced in November 1978. The project added a {{convert|10.5|km|mi|adj=on}} section to the MTR system, from [[Prince Edward station]] to [[Tsuen Wan station|Tsuen Wan]]. The line started service on 17 May 1982 with a total cost of construction (not adjusted for inflation) of HK$4.1&nbsp;billion<ref name="thepast" /> (US$526&nbsp;million). The plan was modified from that in the 1970 report ''Hong Kong Mass Transit: Further Studies'', with [[Kwai Hing station|Kwai Chung]] station, [[Kwai Fong station|Lap Sap Wan]] station, and a planned depot in Kwai Chung next to Lap Sap Wan station being replaced by stations in [[Kwai Hing station|Kwai Hing]] and [[Kwai Fong station|Kwai Fong]] and a depot in Tsuen Wan. Several stations also had names different to that during planning: So Uk station became [[Cheung Sha Wan station|Cheung Sha Wan]], Cheung Sha Wan became [[Lai Chi Kok station|Lai Chi Kok]], and Lai Chi Kok became Lai Wan (later renamed [[Mei Foo station|Mei Foo]]).

When service of this line started, the section of the Kwun Tong line from Chater to Argyle (since renamed Central and Mong Kok respectively) was transferred to the Tsuen Wan line. Thus, Waterloo station (since renamed [[Yau Ma Tei station|Yau Ma Tei]]) became the terminus of the Kwun Tong line, and both Argyle and Prince Edward stations became interchange stations. This change was made because system planners expected the patronage of the Tsuen Wan line to exceed that of the Kwun Tong line. This forecast proved to be accurate, necessitating a bypass from the northwestern New Territories to [[Hong Kong Island]]. The [[Tung Chung line]] was therefore launched in 1998 with an interchange station at [[Lai King station|Lai King]] for that purpose.<ref name="thepast" />

Although land acquisitions were made for a station at Tsuen Wan West (near [[Tsuen King Circuit]]), beyond Tsuen Wan station, as part of the Tsuen Wan branch, the station was never built. This is not to be confused with the modern-day [[Tsuen Wan West station]] on [[Tuen Ma line]], which lies on a newly reclaimed area near the former ferry pier.

Since opening in 1982, the Tsuen Wan line is the line whose alignment has remained the same for the longest time. For example, the Kwun Tong line's alignment has changed three times since its opening—the taking over of Tsuen Wan line from Mong Kok to Central, the taking over of Eastern Harbour Crossing section by the Tseung Kwan O line, and its extension to [[Whampoa station|Whampoa]].

Government approvals were granted for construction of the [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]] in December 1980. Construction commenced in October 1981. On 31 May 1985, the Island line was opened with service between [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty station]] and [[Chai Wan station]]. Both Admiralty and [[Central station (MTR)|Central]] stations became interchange stations with the Tsuen Wan line. Furthermore, each train was extended to eight cars.<ref name="thepast" /> On 23 May 1986, the Island line was extended to [[Sheung Wan station]]. Construction was delayed for one year, as government offices which were located over the station had to be moved before the construction could start.

In 1984, the government approved the construction of the [[Eastern Harbour Crossing]], a tunnel to be used by cars and MTR trains. The Kwun Tong line was extended across the harbour on 5 August 1989 to [[Quarry Bay station]], which became an interchange station for the Kwun Tong line and the [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]]. An intermediate station, [[Lam Tin station|Lam Tin]], started operations on 1 October 1989.<ref name="thepast" />

=== Airport connection ===
{{Main|Airport Express (MTR)}}
[[File:Airport Express Train.jpg|thumb|An [[Airport Express (MTR)|Airport Express]] train]]
The decision was made in October 1989 to construct a new international airport at [[Chek Lap Kok]] on [[Lantau Island]] to replace the overcrowded [[Kai Tak Airport|Kai Tak International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.netvigator.com/~wonglt/his/ar1.htm |title=The Airport Railway Project |publisher=Heavy Iron Station |access-date=19 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311023453/http://home.netvigator.com/~wonglt/his/ar1.htm |archive-date=11 March 2007 }}</ref> The government invited the MTRC to build a train line, then known as the Lantau Airport Railway, to the airport. Construction started in November 1994, after the Chinese and British governments settled their financial and land disagreements.

The new line was included in the financing plans of the new [[Hong Kong International Airport]] as the airport was not considered viable without direct public transport links. Construction costs were also shared by the MTRC, which was granted many large-scale developments in the construction plans for the new stations.

The Lantau Airport Railway included two MTR lines, the Tung Chung line and the Airport Express. The [[Tung Chung line]] was officially opened on 21 June 1998 by [[Hong Kong Chief Executive]] [[Tung Chee-hwa]], and service commenced the next day. The [[Airport Express (MTR)|Airport Express]] opened for service on 6 July 1998 along with the new Hong Kong International Airport.<ref name="thepast" />

The Airport Express also offers flight check-in facilities at [[Kowloon station (MTR)|Kowloon station]] and [[Hong Kong station]]—the in-town check-ins offer a more convenient and time-saving routine; a free shuttle bus service transports travellers from these stations to their respective hotels as well. Porters are also available to help transport luggage from and onto trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/ae_compli_e.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423140537/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/ae_compli_e.htm|archive-date=23 April 2006|title=Complimentary service exclusively for Airport Express Passengers|publisher=MTR Corporation Limited|access-date=17 April 2006}}</ref> It is the second most popular means of transport to the airport after buses. In 2012, it had a 21.8 per cent of share of the traffic to and from the airport. However, this has declined from a peak of 32 per cent in 1999.<ref name="Yeung 2008">{{cite book |title=Moving Millions: The Commercial Success and Political Controversies of Hong Kong's Railways|last=Yeung|first=Rikkie|year=2008|publisher=[[Hong Kong University]] Press|location=Hong Kong|isbn=978-962-209-963-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/investrelation/2006frpt_e/F110.pdf|title=Annual Report 2006|page=21|publisher=MTR Corporation Limited|year=2006|access-date=18 July 2007|archive-date=8 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808014626/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/investrelation/2006frpt_e/F110.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Tseung Kwan O line ===
{{Main|Tseung Kwan O line}}
[[File:Po Lam MTR Station Exit A.JPG|thumb|The [[Tseung Kwan O line]] was opened in 2002 to serve new housing developments. Pictured is [[Po Lam station]], the northern terminus of the line.]]

The Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works {{anchor|Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works}} extended the [[Hong Kong Island]] end of the [[Kwun Tong line]] from [[Quarry Bay station|Quarry Bay]] to [[North Point station|North Point]] via a pair of {{convert|2.1|km|mi|adj=on}} tunnels. The project was initiated due to overcrowding at Quarry Bay and persistent passenger complaints about the five-minute walk from the [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]] platforms to the Kwun Tong line platform. Construction began in September 1997 and was completed in September 2001 at a cost of HK$3.1&nbsp;billion.<ref name="interchangetoreduce">{{cite news|last1=Chan|first1=Felix|title=Interchange to reduce congestion|work=South China Morning Post|date=16 April 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theskytrain.net/hkmtr/Past_QBR.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007154107/http://www.theskytrain.net/hkmtr/Past_QBR.htm|archive-date=7 October 2007|title=Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works|publisher=Hong Kong Mass Transit InfoCenter|date=27 October 2003|access-date=8 March 2007}}</ref> As with most earlier interchange stations, a [[cross-platform interchange]] arrangement was provided here in both directions.

Construction of the [[Tseung Kwan O line]] (called the Tseung Kwan O extension line in the planning stage) was approved on 18 August 1998 to serve the growing Tseung Kwan O New Town. Construction began on 24 April 1999 and the line officially opened in 2002. It took over the existing Kwun Tong line tracks running through the [[Eastern Harbour Tunnel]], so that the full line stretches from [[Po Lam station|Po Lam]] to North Point. When the line opened, the Kwun Tong line was extended to [[Tiu Keng Leng station|Tiu Keng Leng]] on the new line. Construction costs were partly covered by the Hong Kong Government and private developers which linked construction of the Tseung Kwan O line to new real estate and commercial developments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theskytrain.net/hkmtr/Past_TKE.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007154014/http://www.theskytrain.net/hkmtr/Past_TKE.htm|archive-date=7 October 2007|title=Tseung Kwan O Extension|publisher=Hong Kong Mass Transit InfoCenter|date=27 October 2003|access-date=8 March 2007}}</ref>

=== Interchange stations ===
[[File:MTR multiple cross platform interchange.svg|thumb|The multiple [[cross-platform interchange|cross-platform-interchange]] system between [[Tiu Keng Leng station]] and [[Yau Tong station]]]]

The interchange between the Kwun Tong line and the [[Tsuen Wan line]] (except [[Yau Ma Tei station|Yau Ma Tei]]) as well as that between the Kwun Tong line and the Tseung Kwan O line, are two stations long, allowing [[cross-platform interchange]] wherein a passenger leaves a train on one side of the platform and boards trains on the other side of the platform for another line. For example, when passengers are travelling on the Kwun Tong line towards [[Tiu Keng Leng station|Tiu Keng Leng]], getting off at [[Yau Tong station|Yau Tong]] would allow them to switch trains across the platform for the [[Tseung Kwan O line]] towards [[North Point station|North Point]]. Whereas, staying on the train and reaching [[Tiu Keng Leng station|Tiu Keng Leng]] would allow them to board the Tseung Kwan O line trains towards [[Po Lam station|Po Lam]]/[[LOHAS Park station|LOHAS Park]]. This design makes interchanging more convenient and passengers do not have the need to change to different levels. However this interchange arrangement is not available for all transferring passengers at [[Kowloon Tong station|Kowloon Tong]], [[Central station (MTR)|Central]], [[Hong Kong station|Hong Kong]], [[Quarry Bay station|Quarry Bay]], [[Nam Cheong station|Nam Cheong]] (except transfer between Tuen Mun and Hong Kong bound trains), [[Mei Foo station|Mei Foo]], [[Tai Wai station|Tai Wai]] (only between southbound Tuen Ma line and East Rail line trains) and [[Sunny Bay station|Sunny Bay]] (except transfer between Tung Chung and Disneyland Resort bound trains) stations, mainly because this service is available only when there are two continuous stations shared as interchange stations by two lines.

Two major works were undertaken to ease interchange between the Kwun Tong line and East Rail line. The modification of [[Kowloon Tong station]] started in June 2001. A new pedestrian link to Kowloon Tong station southern concourse and a new entrance (Exit D) opened on 15 April 2004 to cope with the increase in interchange passenger flow.<ref name="kcrworks">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/extensions_2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311020715/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/extensions_2.html|archive-date=11 March 2007|title=Recently Completed Projects|publisher=MTR Corporation Limited|access-date=8 March 2007}}</ref> Modification to [[Tsim Sha Tsui station]] involved upgrading station facilities and concourse layout to facilitate access from the [[East Tsim Sha Tsui station]] via its pedestrian links.{{efn|{{station|Tsim Sha Tsui}} and {{station|East Tsim Sha Tsui}} are two separate stations, so one single journey ticket cannot be used for interchange between them. It is only possible to interchange with an Octopus card, or get a second ticket. Passengers with only one ticket can interchange at {{station|Kowloon Tong}} station (Kwun Tong and East Rail lines), then interchange at {{station|Hung Hom}} (for Tuen Ma line) or {{station|Mong Kok}} (for Tsuen Wan line).}} New entrances to the subway links were opened on 19 September 2004 (Exit G) and 30 March 2005 (Exit F), with the whole scheme completed in May 2005.

=== Disneyland Resort line ===
{{Main|Disneyland Resort line}}
[[File:Disneyland MTR, Disneyland Station.JPG|thumb|A Disneyland Resort line train at [[Disneyland Resort station]]]]

The [[Disneyland Resort line]], previously known as Penny's Bay Rail Link, provides service to the [[Hong Kong Disneyland Resort]] station which was opened on 12 September 2005. Services to [[Sunny Bay station]] on the Tung Chung line started in 1 June 2005, but it was only opened to staff of Disneyland at first. It was finally opened to the general public two months later, on 8 August 2005. The new line and the Disneyland Resort station opened on 1 August 2005. It is a {{convert|3.5|km|mi|adj=on}} single-track railway that runs between Sunny Bay station and Disneyland Resort station. The Disneyland Resort station itself was designed to blend in with the ambiance of the resort. The line operates fully automated trains running every four to ten minutes without a driver. The carriages are refurbished M-train rolling stock to match the recreational and adventurous nature of the 3.5-minute journey.<ref name="disney">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/drllaunch/drllaunch_e.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310033007/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/drllaunch/drllaunch_e.htm|archive-date=10 March 2007|title=MTR Disneyland Resort Line|publisher=MTR Corporation Limited|access-date=8 March 2007}}</ref>

=== Airport Express extension ===
{{Main|AsiaWorld–Expo station}}
The [[AsiaWorld–Expo station]] is an extension of the Airport Express serving a new international exhibition centre, [[AsiaWorld–Expo]], at Hong Kong International Airport. The station opened on 20 December 2005 along with the exhibition centre. To cope with the projected increase in patronage, Airport Express trains were lengthened to eight cars from the previous seven. Additional trains are also deployed on the Tung Chung line during major exhibitions and events.<ref name="mtrexpan">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/inprogress_hongkong_e.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308145301/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/inprogress_hongkong_e.htm|archive-date=8 March 2007|title=Projects in Progress (Hong Kong)|publisher=MTR Corporation Limited|access-date=8 March 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Maritime Square.jpg|thumb|[[Maritime Square]], one of the major properties financing the MTR]]

=== Partial privatisation and merger ===
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2018}}<!--only one paragraph has citations-->
{{Main|MTR Corporation|Kowloon–Canton Railway}}
On 5 October 2000 the operator of the MTR network, the [[MTR Corporation|Mass Transit Railway Corporation]] (MTRC), became Hong Kong's first rail company to be partially [[privatised]], marking the beginning of the Hong Kong government's initiative to reduce its interests in public utilities. Prior to its listing on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]], the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) was wholly owned by the Hong Kong government. The offering involved the sale of about one billion [[share (finance)|shares]], and the company now has the largest [[shareholder]] base of any company listed in Hong Kong. In June 2001, MTRCL was transferred to the [[Hang Seng Index]].

MTRCL has often developed properties next to stations to complement its profitable railway business. Many recently built stations were incorporated into large housing estates or shopping complexes. For example, [[Tsing Yi station]] is built next to the [[Maritime Square]] shopping centre and directly underneath the [[Maritime Square|Tierra Verde]] housing estate.

On 11 April 2006, MTRCL signed a non-binding [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[Hong Kong government]], the owner of [[Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation]], to merge the operation of the two railway networks in Hong Kong in spite of the strong opposition of KCRC staff.<ref name="merger1">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-027a-E.pdf|title=MTR Corporation Signs Memorandum of Understanding with The Government on Terms of Proposed Rail Merger|publisher=MTR Corporation Limited|date=11 April 2006|access-date=8 March 2007|archive-date=25 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125163133/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-06-027a-E.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="merger2">{{cite web |url=http://www.kcrc.com/html/eng/archives/merger_update/press_release_merger_eng_.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201005718/http://www.kcrc.com/html/eng/archives/merger_update/press_release_merger_eng_.pdf |archive-date=1 December 2007 |title=KCRC welcomes Government's announcement on way forward for rail merger |publisher=Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation |date=11 April 2006 |access-date=8 March 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The minority shareholders of the corporation approved the proposal at an extraordinary general meeting on 9 October 2007, allowing MTRCL to take over the operation of the [[Kowloon-Canton Railway|KCR]] network and combine the fare system of the two networks on 2 December 2007.<ref name = Mergerapprove>{{cite news|title = Rail merger proposal approved by shareholders (兩鐵合併獲股東表決通過)|language = zh|publisher = Ming Pao Instant News|url = http://www.mpinews.com/htm/INews/20071009/gb21826c.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011201222/http://www.mpinews.com/htm/INews/20071009/gb21826c.htm|archive-date = 11 October 2007|date= 9 October 2007|access-date=9 October 2007}}</ref><ref name=MergerPDF>{{cite web|title = Poll Result of the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 9 October 2007|work = MTR Corporation|publisher = Hong Kong Stock Exchange|date = 9 October 2007|url = http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/investrelation/sehk/Results_Announcement_e.pdf|access-date = 9 October 2007|archive-date = 26 October 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071026214451/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/investrelation/sehk/Results_Announcement_e.pdf|url-status = live}}</ref>

On 2 December 2007 the [[Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation]] (KCRC) granted a 50-year service concession (which may be extended) of the [[Kowloon-Canton Railway|KCR network]] to MTRCL, in return for making annual payments to KCRC, thereby merging the railway operations of the two corporations under MTRCL's management. At the same time MTRCL changed its Chinese name from "地下鐵路有限公司" (Subway Limited Company) to "香港鐵路有限公司" (Hong Kong Railway Limited Company), but left its English name unchanged; at the same time the system's Chinese name changed from "地鐵" ("underground railway") to "港鐵" ("Hong Kong Railway"). After the merger, the MTR network included three more lines—[[East Rail line]], [[West Rail line]], and [[Ma On Shan line]] (now the [[Tuen Ma line]])—as well as the [[Light Rail (MTR)|light rail]] network and [[Guangzhou–Kowloon through train|Guangdong through train]] to [[Guangzhou]].

On 28 September 2008, fare zones of all urban lines, East Rail line, Ma On Shan line, and West Rail line were merged. A passenger could travel on these networks with only one ticket, except where a transfer is made between Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui stations, where two tickets are required. Student discounts on Octopus Card were also issued.

=== Recent extensions ===
[[File:CRH380A-0259@GZN (20180923094804).jpg|thumb|MTR's high-speed rail service was launched on 23 September 2018. The image shows an MTR [[Vibrant Express]] train at [[Guangzhou South railway station]]]]
The MTR system has been extended numerous times since the railway merger. Relevant projects include the LOHAS Park spur line (2009), the [[Kowloon Southern Link]] (2009), the [[Extension of Island line to Western District|West Island line]] (2014), the [[Kwun Tong line extension]] (2016), the [[South Island line]] (2016), [[Tuen Ma line]] Phase 1 (2020) and Phase 2 (2021) and the [[East Rail line|East Rail line extension]] (2022).

The LOHAS Park Spur Line is an extension of the [[Tseung Kwan O line]], splitting off after [[Tseung Kwan O station]]. It serves the new residential development of [[LOHAS Park]] (formerly "Dream City"), a {{convert|3550000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} estate with fifty residential towers. The project is divided into 9 to 13 phases and is about halfway complete as of 2016. These high rises sit above [[LOHAS Park station]], which opened on 26 July 2009.

The [[Extension of Island line to Western District|West Island line]], first put forward to the government on 21 January 2003, is an extension of the [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]]. It serves the Western District of Hong Kong Island. The construction of the [[Extension of Island line to Western District|West Island line]] started on 10 August 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Construction of MTR West Island Line Project Commenced|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-093-E.pdf|publisher=MTR Corporation|date=10 August 2009|access-date=11 August 2009|archive-date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105141446/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-093-E.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kennedy Town station]] and [[HKU station]] opened on 28 December 2014. [[Sai Ying Pun station]] opened later, on 29 March 2015, due to construction delays.

A proposal to extend the existing Kwun Tong line to [[Whampoa Garden]] was made in April 2006 and approved in March 2008 as part of the bid for the [[Sha Tin to Central Link]].<ref>{{cite web|title=set of presentation materials on "Report on the scheme design of Shatin to Central Link:" provided by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (Chinese version only) [CB(1)1015/03-04(01)]|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr03-04/chinese/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0216cb1-1015-1c.pdf|website=Legislative Council|publisher=KCR|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029145331/http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr03-04/chinese/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0216cb1-1015-1c.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on matters relating to railways|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr03-04/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0507cb1-1676-2e.pdf|publisher=Environment, Transport and Works Bureau|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202000848/http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr03-04/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0507cb1-1676-2e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Two new stations at [[Whampoa station|Whampoa]] and [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]] opened on 23 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.881903.com/Page/ZH-TW/newsdetail.aspx?ItemId=896434&csid=261_341 |title=港鐵觀塘延線下月廿三日通車 |publisher=[[Commercial Radio Hong Kong]] |date=21 September 2016 |access-date=24 October 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726103901/http://www.881903.com/Page/ZH-TW/newsdetail.aspx?ItemId=896434&csid=261_341 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[South Island line]] opened on 28 December 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/sil-introduction.htm|title=West Island Line & South Island Line|publisher=MTR Corporation Limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315213623/http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions/sil-introduction.htm|archive-date=15 March 2007|access-date=8 March 2007}}</ref> between [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] and [[South Horizons station|South Horizons]], linking the MTR to [[Southern District (Hong Kong)|Southern District]] for the first time. With the opening of the South Island line, all [[Districts of Hong Kong|18 districts of Hong Kong]] are served by the MTR.

The first section of the [[Tuen Ma line]], an extension of the former Ma On Shan line connecting Tai Wai via [[Hin Keng station|Hin Keng]] and [[Diamond Hill station|Diamond Hill]] to [[Kai Tak station]], opened on 14 February 2020. The second and final section of the line was completed and opened on 27 June 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://images.mtr-tuenmaline.hk/files/upload/162219273560b0b25fc1dcf/PR-21-037-E.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 June 2021 |archive-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627105740/https://images.mtr-tuenmaline.hk/files/upload/162219273560b0b25fc1dcf/PR-21-037-E.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> linking the previously opened Tuen Ma Line Phase One and the West Rail Line together connecting from [[Kai Tak station]] to [[Hung Hom station]].

An extension of the [[East Rail line]], phase two of the [[Sha Tin to Central Link]] (SCL) from [[Hung Hom station]] to [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty station]] across [[Victoria Harbour]] was completed and opened on 15 May 2022. An intermediate station was opened at [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition Centre]].