THB responds to media enquiries on Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link
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     In response to media enquiries on the operational matters relating to the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL), a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau clarified today (April 25) that according to the current planning, the XRL will be operated under agreement model, and that the Mainland and the Hong Kong sides will be responsible for the management of dispatch of high speed railway (HSR) of their respective sections of the XRL.  The Bureau also pointed out that the allegation that "the Operation Control Centre (OCC) in Guangzhou will together manage the dispatch of HSR in both sections of the XRL" is incorrect.

     The spokesman said that agreement model has been adopted for the operation of the XRL.  The Hong Kong side has been discussing the operational details with the Mainland authorities and operators according to this planning.

     The spokesman stressed that currently there is no plan to operate the XRL by joint venture model.

     In accordance with the National HSR Management Specification, the management principle of HSR is that each OCC should manage the dispatch of HSR within its management zone.  The OCC in Shek Kong Stabling Sidings in Hong Kong and the OCC in Guangzhou are going to manage the HSR operation within the management zones of the XRL HK Section and the XRL Mainland Section respectively.  The OCC in Shek Kong Stabling Sidings will independently monitor and control the operation of HSR in the management zone of the XRL HK Section in accordance with stringent procedures.

     The spokesman explained that although the OCCs in Shek Kong and Guangzhou can obtain train dispatch information in both XRL sections by using the Centralised Traffic Control System, and may communicate from time to time on the issues related to train operation and dispatch, the OCC in Guangzhou will only be responsible for managing the dispatch of the HSR which are operating in the management zone of the XRL Mainland Section.  The OCC in Guangzhou will not manage the operation and dispatch of HSR within the management zone of the XRL HK Section.  The OCC in Shek Kong can suspend the train operation in the management zone of the XRL HK Section in case of emergency.  However, the OCC in Guangzhou does not possess such authority to suspend the train operation in the management zone of the XRL HK Section.

     Furthermore, the spokesman pointed out that the signaling system of the national high speed railway network has to comply with either CTCS-2 specification (using track circuits to transmit train control signal) or a more advanced CTCS-3 specification (using radio frequency to transmit train control signal).  The XRL (including HK Section) has adopted both CTCS-3 and CTCS-2 specifications which provide double failure defence in system design, thus ensuring seamless integration and safe operation between the XRL HK Section and the Mainland Section.

Ends/Monday, April 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:05

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