The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     Members of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) were briefed today (September 28) on the customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) arrangements of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) proposed by the Government.

     The Government introduced to the TAC the proposal of the co-location arrangement, which would enable passengers to complete CIQ procedures of both Hong Kong and the Mainland at West Kowloon Station in one go.

     The TAC Chairman, Mr Larry Kwok, said, "Efficient and time-saving clearance procedures are instrumental in unleashing the full transport, social and economic benefits of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL. Members welcome the Government's proposal for the co-location arrangement, and understand that it will continue listening to the views of different sectors of society so as to proceed with the relevant implementation work on the co-location arrangement."

     The TAC also noted that West Kowloon Station is adjacent to Austin Station of the West Rail Line and Kowloon Station of the Tung Chung Line, and there will be a public transport interchange. Various local public transport facilities and services will be provided for the convenience of the public and visitors travelling between West Kowloon Station and other places.

     The 26-kilometre Hong Kong Section of the XRL will connect Hong Kong to the continuously expanding national high-speed rail network, substantially reducing the rail travelling time between Hong Kong and various major Mainland cities. For instance, the travelling time between Hong Kong and Shanghai will be shortened from roughly 19 hours to about eight hours, and the travelling time between Hong Kong and Beijing will be reduced from roughly 24 hours to about nine hours. The project is targeted for commissioning in the third quarter of 2018.
   

Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:32

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