>>1055396>>1055397>>1055399>>1055402SIL is a small yet fucked project but that's not where it's problematic.
1. ISL (blue line) is heavy rail (8-car). SIL (East and West) is medium-capacity heavy rail (3-car). We like to play with a common fleet here. No rolling stock mess.
2. ISL extension into Southern District was considered but rejected.
3. HKU houses reserved structure as an interchange for a platform. It's decided. Kennedy Town is one cramped station like Sai Ying Pun.
The transfer part is idiotic because they decide a lack of space in Wong Chuk Hang removes branching as an option, making it two lines and forcing a transfer at HKU or Wong Chuk Hang (the latter not preferred for obvious reasons).
1. I don't see any capacity issue, at the station and on train.
2. This false dilemma forces themselves into the corner where you have to build the whole line to HKU when branching out till Wah Fu or Tin Wan is fine already as the first or perhaps only phase. Wah Fu Estate is pending redevelopment and the government is using all kinds of excuses to delay construction of the line. Opposition there (muh quiet neighborhood like Happy Valley cagers and hermits) further complicates it. The Pok Fu Lam section (HKU - Wah Fu) has no demand to justify any rail by local standards and priorities.
3. To me a literally straightforward extension of East Rail solves all problem. Admiralty - Ocean Park removes any possibility for transfers elsewhere, dooming the station now. Some original plans called for route via Wan Chai and Happy Valley, maybe terminating at Exhibition (Wan Chai North) instead. I see Causeway Bay as a possibility too.
I can talk about this all day. We are years away from Shatin-Central Link and North Island Line at the overcrowding Admiralty. Meanwhile just take the bus. Pok Fu Lam Road is scenic and quick (pity I can't find good pics).
