Discussion underway to make Guangzhou Xintang Station as intermediate stop of XRL

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said the MTR Corporation and mainland railway authorities are considering adding Xintang Station in Guangzhou as a destination to the Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).

This follows lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung highlighted that Xintang Station, which opened last year, is an important hub for travel to eastern Guangzhou. However, XRL routes currently pass the station without stopping.

Yiu also pointed out that the 90-minute travel time from West Kowloon Station to Guangzhoudong Station fails to showcase the advantages of the XRL, inquiring about the feasibility of increasing speed on the route.

In response on Wednesday, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said that the current speed balances journey time with the number of intermediate stops for passenger convenience. MTR Corporation will negotiate with mainland authorities to reduce travel time.

Additionally, Lam noted that the government plans to incorporate commercial facilities such as convenience stores in the concourse.