Dear Editor,
Much of the debate on the proposed Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link has been centered on its economic impact; while supporters of the high speed rail argue that the rail project would benefit Hong Kong's economic development, opponents and activists are unhappy that $66.9b is spent on a massive infrastructure project which in their view would amount to a waste.
They have thus far ignored the scientific consensus that medium-distance HSR travel is far more environmentally friendly than cross-border coaches and airplanes (the carbon emission of an airplane trip per capita is as much as ten times the same trip on HSR), both of which are very popular. In this regard, the Express Rail Link is definitely a worthwhile investment, as a measure to reduce the negative environmental impact brought by cross-border travel between Hong Kong and Southern China. In the same spirit, the government's West Kowloon Terminus and all-tunnel proposal is the most logical in minimizing the Rail Link's environmental impact - alternatives such as the Professional Commons' proposal to locate the terminus in Kam Tin would fail to attract travelers from the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories East who presently use the coach or the airplane.
垃圾!