Construction of the MTR's South Island Line (East) is on schedule for completion in 2015. The new 7km line will cut travel time between Admiralty and Ap Lei Chau to 10 minutes, at an estimated production cost of HK$10 billion.
Starting in Admiralty, where station expansion is underway underneath Queensway, the South Island Line will stop at Ocean Park, Wong Chuk Hang, Lei Tung and South Horizons.
A Happy Valley station between Admiralty and Ocean Park has been discussed.
The West Island Line, which extends the Island Line through Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong University and on to Kennedy Town, will be completed in 2014.
Plans show the South Island Line and the West Island Line connecting somewhere in the future, but no decisive date has been given.
Several complaints have been directed at the South Island Line regarding the environment but, for the most part, residents in these areas seem satisfied with construction arrangements.
There is no doubt the South Island Line will ease commutes for people living in Ap Lei Chau -- the worlds 3rd most densely populated island -- but will the new line increase tourism to the Aberdeen area?
Does anyone else wonder what will happen with all the bus routes that service Ap Lei Chau? Will prices be forced down, or frequencies shaved?
Keep us updated if you're in the know.