Tung Chung residents could be able to ride to Chek Lap Kok via light rail or the Airport Express under proposals now being considered by government agencies.

But even if approved it will likely be years before either becomes a reality.

Transport Secretary Anthony Cheung has told Legco he is reviewing an Airport Authority study into the feasibility of a rail shuttle using spare capacity on the Airport Express line, running between the proposed Tung Chung East MTR station and Chek Lap Kok.

Cheung said the report, completed last month, to assess the feasibility of the light rail scheme “as well as how the matter should be taken forward.”

In January the government formally asked the MTR Corp to submit proposals for the construction of new stations at west and east Tung Chung to support new housing developments.

But Cheung admitted that the Tung Chung East station won’t be ready until 2026. Until then residents will travel to Tung Chung MTR via mini-bus.

He added that the Civil Engineering and Planning departments are investigating “different transport connectivity proposals” for public transport between the Hong Kong-Macau bridge border crossing, North Lantau and Chek Lap Kok airport.

One of the schemes is for a light rail system, in response to requests from the public and Legco. The study is expected to be completed by the end of this year.