Rikkie Yeung 332 pages hardcover
With the "merger" of the MTRC and the KCRC in 2007, the history of Hong
Kong's railways turned a new page. The two government-owned corporations
were exceptionally profitable. Yet, this commercially successful
railway model was not without social costs and political controversies.
Moving Millions critically examines the governance history of the MTRC
and the KCRC over the past three decades, and sheds light on the
challenges to Hong Kong's railway after the "merger". The author
discusses complex relationships between railway management, government
policy and politics. Critical issues are analysed, including corporate
governance; railway-property development; funding and managing new
projects; mismanagement and controversies; public accountability; and
passenger interest in fares, choice and convenience. The book compares
how differently the MTRC and the KCRC dealt with the government, civil
society, the market, and with each other to achieve commercial
objectives and tackle public interests issues in a post-industrial
society, where public expectations are rising despite constraints in
democracy.