No government subsidies will be needed to build the long-awaited Pak Shek Kok station on the East Rail line, Hong Kong’s minister has said, after authorities agreed to grant the MTR Corporation development rights at two sites.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Saturday that the “rail-plus-property” model would fully cover construction costs, even though a detailed estimate had yet to be finalised.
“We are still awaiting the MTR Corp’s detailed design and cost estimates,” Linn told a radio programme. “We have agreed to grant it development rights for two sites – one in Pak Shek Kok and another in Ma On Shan – to support the station project.”
She said the land grants were structured to reflect the project’s full costs and would allow the rail operator to generate sufficient returns.
“Under the rail-plus-property model, as long as assessments are properly conducted, changes at any stage should not require government funding,” she added.
The government unveiled plans earlier this week to build the station between Tai Po Market and University stations, with construction expected to begin in 2028 and completion targeted for as early as 2033.
