Hong Kong station received over 160,000 HSR passengers in first days

Since passenger service of the High Speed Rail (HSR) commenced on 23 September 2018, the service has carried more than 160,000 arriving and departing passengers at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station over the last three days.

“We’re very pleased to see that the HSR operation has been generally running smoothly since the commencement of service on 23 September. Many Hong Kong residents and visitors also took the opportunity to tour the iconic Hong Kong West Kowloon Station as well as visit the shops and restaurants inside. We do understand that some passengers may have encountered inconveniences in the course of their journeys during this initial period of operations, and we thank them for their patience,” said Mr Francis Li, Chief of Operating - High Speed Rail of the MTR  Corporation. “I would also like to thank our staff for their hard work and commitment to provide safe and efficient HSR services to passengers. The operation team will continue to use their best endeavour to resolve any teething issues with the aim to further enhance HSR services,”said Mr Li.

Apart from the cross-boundary rail service, a Green Area at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station spanning over 3 hectares was also officially opened on 23 September for the enjoyment of passengers and the public.

The vast Green Area spanning over the iconic roof of the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station comprises the Green Plaza and the Sky Corridor. Members of the public can walk along the Sky Corridor to reach the observation deck to enjoy the breath-taking views of the Victoria Harbour and the city’s skyline. Lawns and plants in the Green Area create a continuous green belt connecting the waterfront area at the West Kowloon Cultural District to the north of Jordan Road for passengers and the community to enjoy.

“Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and HSR service have not only opened a new gateway to the Mainland of China, the stunning station design and the large-scale green area surrounding the station are now new landmarks in the West Kowloon area for the enjoyment of the public,” said Mr Li.

The Green Plaza and rooftop garden of the West Kowloon Station Bus Terminus will be open 24 hours a day, while the Sky Corridor will be opened from 7 am to 10 pm. Considering the limited space of the Sky Corridor, we may need to implement appropriate crowd control measures when necessary. The Sky Corridor will be temporarily closed during inclement weather and special events.

While MTR By-law is applicable in the green area, some special arrangements will be made so as to balance the different needs amongst the public. Members of the public are reminded to be considerate to avoid any disturbance to other users of the area.

To provide a good overall experience to HSR passengers, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station has food and beverages as well as shopping and services facilities that are well-tailored to the needs of passengers. There are over thirty shops and restaurants delivering various cuisines and retail services, as well as three duty free stores. To warmly welcome our tourists and provide them with maximum convenience, there are different service counters at the Arrival Hall including the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Hotels Association and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Ms Jeny Yeung, Commercial Director of MTR Corporation said, “When we were developing the station trade mix, we had considered the needs of the high speed railway travellers, and we wished to introduce shops and services that best suit their needs. We also strived to introduce new brands and brands with Hong Kong characteristics to instil a fresh sensation to both Hong Kong citizens and tourists. I believe our quality and diverse station shops and services mix can lighten up the experience of our passengers.”

The new High Speed Rail service connects Hong Kong directly with 44 Mainland destinations without interchange, including six short-haul destinations and 38 long-haul destinations.

About MTR Corporation

MTR Corporation is regarded as one of the world’s leading railway operators for safety, reliability, customer service and cost efficiency. In its home base of Hong Kong, the Corporation operates ten commuter railway lines, a Light Rail network and a high-speed Airport Express link on which about 5.8 million passenger trips are made on a normal week day. Another 6.5 million passenger trips are made on the rail services it operates outside Hong Kong in the Mainland of China, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia. In addition, the Corporation is involved in a range of railway construction projects as well as railway consultancy and contracting services around the world. Leveraging on its railway expertise, the Corporation is involved in the development of transit-related residential and commercial property projects, property management, shopping malls leasing and management, advertising media and telecommunication services.