Awarded entry of the HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award (Infrastructure Category): “A New Era on Mobility – Hong Kong’s First Metro Subway”

Public transportation is undeniably the lifeline of a contemporary urban hub. Few infrastructure projects have had as profound an impact on a city as Hong Kong’s Modified Initial System (MIS), the first phase of the city’s metro railway operated by MTR. As the recipient of the HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award in the Infrastructure Category, the MIS is being recognised not just as a feat of engineering, but as a transformative force in shaping one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Over half a century ago, when Hong Kong was on the cusp of significant demographic and economic expansion, the MIS represented more than just a new transport line; it formed what was to become the backbone of a future-ready metropolis.

Planning for a crowded tomorrow

By the late 1960s, it was clear that Hong Kong’s population was growing rapidly. The population in 1967 was already 3.8 million and was projected to reach a whopping 6 million by 1991. Car trips were rising just as quickly, with daily journeys having surged by 45 percent between 1965 and 1978 alone. Without intervention, road congestion would hinder the city’s mobility and economic growth.

Recognising this problem, Hong Kong Government (the government) commissioned studies into a mass public transport system. In 1970, a joint consultancy proposed an ambitious 52.7 km underground railway divided into four main corridors. The government agreed to a scaled-down 20 km long “Initial System”. In 1974, after further evaluation, the “Initial System” gave way to the “Modified Initial System(MIS)”, the first heavy rail line of what would later become known as the Mass Transit Railway at that time and now referred to as MTR.

What followed was a series of engineering, logistical and social challenges that required vision, collaboration and resilience to overcome.

Breaking new ground

The MIS was not an easy project to deliver. The alignment of the route ran primarily through densely developed urban areas, often adjacent to buildings and major roads. From Kwun Tong in Kowloon to Central on Hong Kong Island, the railway would have to navigate tight spaces, minimal rights of way, and the challenging conditions of underground construction.

Construction of viaducts along busy Kwun Tong Road and in close proximity to existing residential buildings presented unique constraints. Limited workspace, access difficulties, and environmental impact meant that safety and maintaining public access during construction were paramount.

Adding to the complexity was a lack of reliable underground utility data. At that time, deep excavation techniques were relatively rudimentary. Diaphragm walling was not widely used, so engineers relied on pipe pile cofferdams up to 25 m deep, often encountering groundwater seepage that required to be controlled by ground treatment techniques.

A railway of firsts

The MIS officially opened on 1 October 1979 with its first section between Kwun Tong and Shek Kip Mei. By December 1979 the line extended to Tsim Sha Tsui. Then, on 12 February 1980, the further extended line was opened, completing the iconic underwater crossing beneath Victoria Harbour connecting to Admiralty and Central.

The first MTR passenger train

Comprising 15.6 km—12.8 km underground and 2.8 km elevated—the MIS featured 15 stations. Travel was instantly revolutionised in the city. The MIS stitched together Kowloon East and Central, reduced traffic congestion, and slashed travel times.

But perhaps most importantly, the MIS set the blueprint for all future rail development in Hong Kong.

With hindsight, the MIS was more than a transport solution; it was an urban planning catalyst. It demonstrated the value of building around core passenger needs such as convenient interchanges, proximity to commercial hubs, and minimal construction disruption to the public.

These lessons helped to streamline future MTR projects, both in terms of technical execution and public engagement. The MIS also triggered economic development across its service areas, enabling new business districts and residential zones to emerge with ease of access and mobility.

The MIS featured 15 stations, from Central to Kwun Tong

From local inception to global benchmark

Since its inauguration, the MTR network has grown exponentially. With the 2007 merger of MTR and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), the system has evolved into one of the most efficient railway networks in the world.

Building on the foundation of the MIS, the network has since expanded to include the West Island Line (2014), South Island Line (East) (2016), Kwun Tong Line Extension (2016), High-Speed Rail to Mainland China (2018), the Tuen Ma Line (Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section) (2021) and East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension (2022), among others.

Today, the MTR serves around half of public transport trips in Hong Kong, only consuming around 10 percent of the sector’s total energy—an extraordinary achievement in sustainable urban mobility. The system provides a reliable low-carbon and convenient mode of transportation for the community.

MTR has further pledged to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with the HKSAR Government’s target. Through initiatives like regenerative braking, energy-efficient chiller systems, LED lighting upgrades and solar panel installations, MTR continues to reduce its environmental footprint.

In 2023, MTR attained BEAM Plus Provisional Gold accreditation for Tung Chung East and Tung Chung West stations on the Tung Chung Line Extension, A16 Station on the Tuen Mun South Extension, and Oyster Bay Station and Hung Shui Kiu Station on the Tuen Ma Line as well as BEAM Plus Provisional Platinum accreditation for Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line and Tuen Mun South Station on the Tuen Mun South Extension, reflecting MTR’s commitment to low-carbon sustainable design. Meanwhile, electric buses and trials of hydrogen-powered trains mark bold steps towards zero-emission ground transport.

MTR is also embracing innovation to ensure its legacy remains future-focused. It has adopted advanced technologies such as 3D and 4D Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twins to simulate and manage construction. These tools not only enhance project efficiency but also improve safety and reduce carbon impact.

New construction techniques like Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and Modular Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) systems are now central to MTR’s approach. MTR is fostering an ecosystem of innovation for smart rail solutions, coupled with partnerships with academic and research institutions.

The MTR in Hong Kong continues to play an essential role in driving the growth of communities and advancing smart city development, including bringing together research, academic and industry sectors with significant investment made into developing smart technologies that aid in operations and maintenance. The smart and innovative initiatives from MTR have been recognised internationally and best practices are shared in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and beyond, including at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland.

A legacy honoured: A vision that keeps cities moving

Whether expanding into cities across Mainland China or managing international rail projects, MTR’s mission remains consistent: Keep Cities Moving. In Hong Kong, current expansions such as the Northern Link, Oyster Bay Station, Tung Chung Line Extension, Tuen Mun South Extension and Hung Shui Kiu Station are aimed at connecting new development areas, stimulating economic growth and ensuring connectivity of communities in Hong Kong continues to flourish.

Every kilometre of track, every new station, and every technological advancement traces its lineage back to the humble beginnings of the MIS.

Winning the HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award in the Infrastructure Category is a powerful affirmation of the MIS’s enduring impact. It reflects how the system has connected Hong Kong, becoming an integral part of people’s lives.

The MIS was not just the start of a train system. It formed the foundation of a smarter, greener, and more connected city. As Hong Kong looks ahead to new frontiers in mobility and innovation, it is clear that the MIS legacy is still very much in motion.

Secretary for Development Ms Bernadette Linn (2nd left), Secretary for Housing Ir Winnie Ho (4th right), Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Ir Prof Sun Dong (3rd right), President for Session 2024/2025 Ir Eric Ma (3rd left), and the awarded project team of The HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award (Infrastructure)