Hong Kong’s high-speed rail network has expanded to cover 110 destinations after 16 new stops began service on Monday, while the government said new railway construction standards will be announced soon.
The new destinations link Hong Kong with major cities in eastern China, including Nanjing, Wuxi, and Hefei, which are key hubs for business and high-tech industries and also offer rich cultural and tourism resources.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said the high-speed rail has recorded a cumulative total of more than 100 million passenger trips since it began operations seven years ago, helping drive the development of more diversified tourism products.
She added that the government hopes to announce new railway standards soon, aimed at achieving faster construction, higher efficiency, and lower costs.
The standards will draw on experience from the mainland’s high-speed rail development and be incorporated into Hong Kong’s existing leading standards, Chan said.
MTR Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jeny Yeung Mei-chun said the railway’s network coverage and passenger volume have grown significantly.
She added that the company will continue to work with the tourism sector to promote “high-speed train tours” and facilitate tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The operator will also roll out a limited-time promotion starting Tuesday, including a buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer, to reward passengers.
