Hong Kong high-speed rail link gets a boost with four long-haul routes to Tianjin, Chongqing, Nanning and Zhaoqing
- MTR Corp says new routes will feature 14 destinations, as lawmaker expresses hope the move will also benefit tourism
- Train frequency on East Rail Line to be increased, cutting wait time by 4 per cent
Hong Kong’s underutilised high-speed rail services will receive a boost with four long-haul routes added next month while existing train services will be cut down, according to operator the MTR Corporation.
From July 10, the 26km local stretch of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link will offer daily direct services between its West Kowloon terminus and the mainland cities of Tianjin, Chongqing, Nanning and Zhaoqing.
Since the debut of the express link on September 23 last year, some century-old cross-border traditional train services have been cannibalised, with the MTR Corp closing three return trips between Hung Hom station and Guangzhou.
“We believe the enhanced service will attract more passengers to take the high-speed rail to explore these cities,” MTR Corp CEO Jacob Kam Chak-pui said on Monday.
“The 14 new destinations, including Chongqing, Foshan, Nanning, Shantou, Tianjin and Zhaoqing, are all popular cities for travellers.”