Mixed reviews for new East Rail cross-harbor extension on first workday

The MTR's new East Rail cross-harbor extension has drawn mixed reviews on Monday - the first day of the working week - after it commenced full operation yesterday, with residents happy about the convenience it offers, but others worried about bus companies cutting back their services.

With the opening of the new Exhibition Centre Station, the new station now connects Hung Hom and Admiralty that extends the East Rail line across Victoria Harbour, making it the MTR's fourth cross-harbor line.

With Admiralty Station the terminal of the East Rail Line, passengers from New Territories East will be spared several changes to cross the harbor, before they switch to the Island Line.

Thousands of people boarded a packed special train that left the Exhibition Centre Station at 5:25am on Sunday morning to celebrate the line's full opening.

On Monday morning, there were relatively more passengers than usual at the Admiralty Station - the new terminal station of the East Rail Line, one passenger said.

Most morning commuters told reporters that the new cross-harbor extension has shortened their traveling time and spared them from walking between interchanging stations.

However, some said they would still opt for cross-harbor buses at Hung Hom Station as the buses take them directly to their destination.

One bus passenger noted that the cross-harbor bus services have been chopped this morning, as passengers usually don’t have to wait for the buses at the terminal station at Hung Hom.

He also worried the bus companies would slowly reduce the bus frequencies running the cross-harbor routes after the cross-harbor extension comes into play.

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