Chapter 449

A piece of news from the MTR Corporation caused an uproar across Hong Kong.

The storm of the bandits and Commissioner Zheng was instantly suppressed.

The entire Hong Kong Island was instantly ignited by anger.

Among them, a portion of the people were office workers commuting from the New Territories to Hong Kong Island or Kowloon.

Central...

A young man complained while gnawing on bread: "My round-trip fare from Diamond Hill to Central for work is already not cheap; if the MTR raises prices again, isn't this forcing people to resign?"

A lady on the side shook her head helplessly: "To save money, I can only live in remote places; it's one thing that the commute time is long, but now even this only way of travel is going to increase in price; I really don't know what to do."

"I have to transfer twice every day to go to work; I can barely afford the fare as it is, and the MTR still wants to raise prices; why don't they let us walk to work!"

The surrounding passengers nodded one after another, complaining to each other.

The Hong Kong Island District and Yau Tsim Mong have a large number of job opportunities, but housing prices are expensive, so many citizens, in order to buy a house, deliberately run to remote places, such as Diamond Hill, Sha Tin, or even the New Territories.

It's equivalent to working in the south and living in the north.

And commuting has become a huge trouble; the MTR is a very good means of commuting.

The more the citizens of Hong Kong discussed, the angrier they got, cursing and swearing.

"Young people nowadays don't have it easy; running around to work every day, and the MTR still raises prices; how can they afford it?"

"This MTR doesn't consider everyone either, only knowing how to make money, not considering the feelings of the neighbors."

"Punk, are you trying to drive us to extinction?"

"I go to work, the money I earn is all spent on food, housing, and transportation; by the end of the year, damn it, I haven't saved a cent!"

"It's like I can save money either!"

"The price of the MTR is already high, and now it's raising prices... How did this plan pass government approval?"

"Don't you know? The MTR is the government's own company! The money earned goes into the government's pocket!"

The predecessor of the MTR Corporation, the Hong Kong Island MTR Corporation, was established in 1975 under the "Mass Transit Railway Corporation Ordinance" (Hong Kong Island Laws Chapter 270); it is a statutory body wholly owned by the Hong Kong Island government, aimed at planning, building, and operating the MTR network of Hong Kong Island; it is a company wholly owned by the Hong Kong British government, the sole shareholder.

And the price increase?

As a company involved in public facilities, if it wants to raise prices, it naturally has to go through the process.

Process 1, Internal Review and Formulation: Internal research and argumentation, considering costs, operating conditions, market demand, and many other factors to formulate a specific and feasible price increase plan.

Process 2, Government Department Review: The Transport Department, Finance Committee, Consumer Council, Transport Advisory Committee, etc., will comprehensively consider public interest, transport policy, social impact, and many other factors regarding the plan proposed by the MTR Corporation to judge the reasonableness and feasibility of the price increase plan.

From this process,

The government clearly already knew about this plan and even agreed to it.

"Damn it!"

Citizens shouted loudly one after another.

"Not considering us citizens!"

"Exactly, such a plan was actually released? Doing what public consultation?"

"F*ck you!"

As the news spread across Hong Kong, north to the New Territories, south to Hong Kong Island, east to Sai Kung, west to Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun...

Countless citizens cursed one after another.

Do you think the MTR Corporation only has this much skill?

In the evening,

TVB news reported on the MTR Corporation's questionnaire survey for citizens:

Reporter: "Excuse me, what is your opinion on the MTR's price increase?"

Citizen 1: "I absolutely support it."

Citizen 2: "The MTR's operating costs are high; if they don't raise prices, how can services improve? Spending a little more money in exchange for comfortable travel is worth it!"

Citizen 3: "I can understand the price increase; after all, the price is indeed a bit low right now."

Citizen 4: "MTR upgrading facilities costs money; price increase is normal; it will be more convenient to take the train in the future, it's quite good."

Citizen 5: "MTR development needs money; appropriate price increase is acceptable, as long as the service gets better and better."

Citizen 6: "Support the price increase; the MTR needs funds to develop, which is beneficial to our travel in the long run."

Citizen 7: "That's the logic; everyone needs to have a long-term vision."

The TVB reporter stood on the bustling street, with people coming and going behind him; he faced the camera and said clearly: "

Dear viewers and friends, in the social discussion triggered by the MTR price increase plan, we conducted a large number of visits and surveys. Surprisingly, the citizens interviewed this time, without exception, all expressed support for the MTR price increase."

"This not only reflects the citizens' understanding and trust in the development of the MTR, but also paints a hopeful blueprint for the future of public transport in Hong Kong. We will continue to follow the progress of the event and bring you the latest developments."

At this moment, all the citizens of Hong Kong were stunned.

What the hell?

Everyone supports it?

But I clearly opposed it!

I'm not a person!

F*ck, representing me again!

In the evening,

White-collar workers who came from Tin Shui Wai to work in the Hong Kong Island District finished their day's work and walked to the subway station in groups.

At this moment, the subway was filled with dissatisfaction with the MTR Corporation.

"We work ourselves to death every day, earning hard-earned money; this price increase by the MTR is equivalent to giving us another pay cut."

"Exactly, housing might be cheaper, but commuting costs are getting higher and higher; this life is getting harder and harder to live."

"Damn it, the MTR Corporation simply doesn't act like humans!"

"What? Not caught?!"

"We want to call and complain!"

"Complain? I've already complained to the MTR, but the phone won't go through."

"I complained to the government hotline, and they said: we have already listened to the opinions and recorded them."

"Hey, when I complained, they replied to me the same way."

"I tell you, complaining is useless; if complaining were useful, TVB wouldn't report it like that."

"Exactly, the government's internal review has already passed; clearly, the government has already agreed."

"Collusion between officials and businessmen!"

"Where is it a business? It is the government itself!"

"That's officials protecting each other!"

"So, complaining is useless!"

The entire carriage was cursing and swearing, spitting out fragrance.

Suddenly, I don't know who said something.

"It is understood that the MTR's price increase this time involves multiple lines and ticket types, covering..."

Once these words were spoken,

The carriage suddenly went quiet.

Then it exploded directly.

"Exactly!"

"Find Mr. Director Guan!"

"Mr. Director Guan has always cared about ordinary citizens, completely different from those other officials who hold positions but don't do their jobs. Yes, let's go find Mr. Director Guan."

At this moment, the deep prestige Director Guan Zu had accumulated on weekdays erupted with astonishing power.

For a long time, the things he did were seen by the citizens and kept in their hearts; everyone spontaneously trusted him and supported him.

And at this critical moment, they all subconsciously thought of relying on him, hoping he would uphold justice for these ordinary citizens.

"But, how can we find Mr. Director Guan?"

"Go directly to Causeway Bay; Mr. Director Guan is in Causeway Bay, at the Five Star Group building."

"Let's go, let's not go home first, let's go to the Five Star Group building first!"

"Will there be too few of us? Too few people won't show enough sincerity!"

"Then make phone calls and call all our colleagues."

"Yes, make phone calls, hurry~~~"

Read every single word without missing a single one!

Then, as phone calls were made one after another...

More and more citizens dissatisfied with the MTR price increase mobilized one after another.

Of course, there was no shortage of those just joining in the fun.

Central.

A private club, the interior of the club was extremely luxurious.

The Chairman of the MTR Board, Tang Xin, was dressed in a well-tailored custom suit, leaning lazily on a leather sofa, holding a thick Cuban cigar in his hand, taking a light puff, and slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke.

In addition, there was TVB's Mrs. Fang, and several high-level government officials, who were smoking cigars.

They were blowing clouds and mist, drinking and chatting, full of the debauchery of the upper class.

Chairman of the Finance Committee: "These ignorant masses, we say raise the price, so we raise the price; they can only curse a few times."

"Exactly, Chairman Tang has been racking his brains for the development of Hong Kong; what's wrong with raising the price a bit?"

Tang Xin reminded: "Everyone, the complaint hotline was blown up today; too many citizens oppose it, we also need to pay attention to the influence... The price can be raised, but we also need to try our best to ease the relationship."

He looked at Mrs. Fang: "Today's TVB report wasn't very good, all support; it will definitely make those citizens resentful; you can add some opposition, so it will be more realistic."

Mrs. Fang nodded: "Okay, I will instruct the News Department; the 22:00 news tonight will reflect this."

Tang Xin nodded: "With Mrs. Fang's help, I can rest assured. As long as the price can be raised smoothly, the subsequent development of the MTR will be bright, and there will be no shortage of benefits for everyone."

Those present were the main figures dominating this price increase.

Of course, there were people above them.

Tang Xin indicated: They are all my people, how can you fight me!

Mrs. Fang at this time: "Chairman Tang, there is one person, I think you should pay attention to; he might ruin things."

Tang Xin: "Who?"

Mrs. Fang: "Director Guan Zu!"

Once these words were spoken,

Everyone in the room frowned.

And Tang Xin showed even more disgust.

Tang Xin and Mr. Li had a good private relationship, and they had many business dealings.

So accordingly, he also hated Director Guan Zu very much.

At this moment,

Five Star Group building.

Director Guan Zu was supposed to go out to have fun, but because of the MTR price increase, he returned here and arranged for people to investigate.

To tell the truth, Director Guan Zu didn't know much about the MTR before, only knowing that it was very rich in later generations and that taking the subway was very expensive.

Director Guan Zu had been there once, it was really f*cking expensive!

At this moment,

Ah Wah had already investigated some information about the MTR and reported it to Director Guan Zu.

"In the 70s, when the economy of Hong Kong Island was booming, Hong Kong Island started thinking about building a subway and established the MTR Corporation."

"The MTR Corporation didn't have much money at the time; the first subway line planned started from Kwun Tong in Kowloon, passed through the cross-harbor tunnel, and reached Central on Hong Kong Island, with a total length of 15.6 kilometers."

"However, at that time, the MTR had no money, so they looked for businessmen to cooperate... Finally, they found Mr. Li."

"Mr. Li proposed a plan: the projects on top of the subway stations, only rent, don't sell; build the buildings and sell them, and share the money with the subway company; Cheung Kong took 49%, and the rest went to the subway. Cheung Kong also actively provided construction funds to supplement the cash for the subway company."

"Since then, the cooperation between Mr. Li and the MTR officially began, and it also opened the rapid development mode of the Cheung Kong Group."

"In May 1978, the World-Wide House at Central Station was completed and sold out within 10 hours, with a return of 590 million Hong Kong dollars, becoming the highest in the history of property prices in Hong Kong Island. In August, the Admiralty Centre above Admiralty Station was also completed and sold well, and Mr. Li shared the money with the subway company according to the agreement."

"The Hong Kong Island MTR was very satisfied with this, and the Chairman of the Board, Tang Xin, repeatedly stated that he had chosen a very correct partner."

"Afterwards, the MTR Corporation also found a development model, earning huge profits through the tops of subway stations."

"So, the profit model of the MTR Corporation is not based on any passenger fares at all!"

Ah Wah was extremely angry.

"This MTR is simply insatiable!"

Director Guan Zu nodded; compared to the MTR, the subways in the country in later generations are simply saints, truly serving the people.

"On the government side,"

Tan Tan Meili also reported her investigation results to Director Guan Zu.

"Transport Department, Legislative Council Finance Committee, Legislative Council Transport Advisory Committee, Consumer Council,......"

"Indeed, they have all signed and approved..."

Director Guan Zu sneered: "Needless to say, it must be giving benefits again."

However, thinking about it, it's right; the MTR belongs to the Hong Kong British government, and the money is all given to the Hong Kong British government... Of course, internal corruption in the MTR is certain.

Just at this moment,

Fang Ting knocked on the door and entered.

"Brother Zu... big trouble..."

"There are many citizens gathered downstairs, saying they want to ask Brother Zu to uphold justice for them... about the MTR price increase!"

Director Guan Zu was stunned for a moment...

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down.

Sure enough, he saw the road downstairs already gathered with many citizens.

"We are here to ask Mr. Director Guan to uphold justice."

"The only one we can trust is Mr. Director Guan."

"Please Mr. Director Guan, make the decision for us!"

Director Guan Zu listened to the voices downstairs...

That is a kind of—public opinion is like iron!

And he, stands on the side of the people!

(End of chapter)