Mass Transit Railway or MTR (地下éµè·¯, literally "underground railway"; usually abbreviated to åœ°éµ or 地下éµ) is the main rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Since the MTR service first opened in 1979, the network has expanded to encompass seven lines and 53 stations along 91.0 km http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/railways/mass_transit_railway/index.htm "Mass Transit Railway", Transport Department (Hong Kong Government), retrieved 16 March 2006. Constructed and operated by MTR Corporation Limited, the MTR system is a very popular mode of public transport in Hong Kong, with an average of 2.46 millionhttp://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/investrelation/patronage.php "MTR Patronage Figures for February 2006", MTR Corporation Limited, retrieved 16 March 2006 journeys recorded each day.