I love the MTR in HK. In addition to creating an awesome public transportation system, I think that MTR also has the potential to be the government's vessel in balancing the HK real estate market.

  "Some 50 major properties across Hong Kong are owned, developed or managed by MTR,including two of the city's tallest skyscrapers."

Companies like Sun Hung Kai, Cheung Kong, Henderson, New World etc are getting ridiculously rich off soaring property prices while the lower/middle classes suffer in overpriced, tiny cramped living spaces. Perhaps the government can use MTR as an opportunity to create affordable housing - maximize welfare beyond a cheap public transportation system.