LCQ11: Development and planning of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link
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Question:
According to the information of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), passenger trips at the West Kowloon Station (WEK) of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) on a single day on December 27 last year reached nearly 140 000, setting a new single-day ridership record. There are views that the demand for cross-boundary passenger traffic on the Hong Kong Section of XRL is expected to continue to grow significantly. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as set out in a paper submitted to the Panel on Transport of this Council in August 2018, the authorities provided the average daily patronage forecast for the XRL for 2018, 2021 and 2031, whether the authorities have reviewed afresh or updated the XRL's daily patronage forecast in light of increased travel frequency between the two places; if so, of the latest estimated figures and the respective estimation methods; if not, the reasons for that, and whether there are any plans to conduct such a reassessment;
(2) given that, according to the MTRCL Annual Report 2024, the Service Quality Index of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL dropped from 88 in 2023 to 82 in 2024, whether it knows if the MTRCL has assessed if the existing station capacity and facilities at the WEK of the XRL, including the platforms, waiting halls, arrival and departure facilities, and relevant ancillary facilities, are adequate to cope with the current and future passenger demand;
(3) whether it knows if the MTRCL has formulated any standards for assessing the degree of congestion and passenger comfort at the WEK of the XRL; if so, of the relevant standards, and whether the current service level of the WEK of the XRL meets these standards; if not, the reasons for that, and how the MTRCL assesses that the ancillary facilities at the WEK can meet passenger requirements;
(4) as there are views that a persistent increase in demand for the XRL from Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is expected in the future, whether the authorities have earmarked space at the WEK of the XRL for the construction of a new rail track; if so, whether they have estimated the time required for the works to expand the WEK of the XRL or build an additional rail track (i.e. from the commencement of the planning study to the commissioning); and
(5) whether the authorities have studied the addition of a second the XRL station within Hong Kong's territory or explored co-ordinating with the Mainland to divert some travellers to other cities in the GBA; if so, of the progress of the study and the preliminary conclusions; if not, the plans the authorities have in place to cope with the pressure on the operation of the WEK of the XRL brought about by the continuous growth in the number of travellers in the future?
Reply:
President,
The Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) was commissioned on September 23, 2018, connecting with the national high-speed rail network, which currently spans over 50 000 kilometres. Since January 2026, the number of Mainland destinations directly accessible from the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station has increased from 44 at the beginning of its operation to the current 110, with at least 212 train trips operating per day. At present, the average daily patronage of the XRL has exceeded 90 000 passenger trips. During the peak travel periods for the XRL over festive holidays and weekends, the average daily patronage generally exceeds 100 000 passenger trips. The single-day patronage hit record high with 148 700 passenger trips on April 4, 2026 (during the Easter and Ching Ming Festival holidays).
In consultation with the Security Bureau and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Lam is as follows:
(1) Prior to the commissioning of the XRL Hong Kong Section in 2018, the forecast of average daily patronage for different years was the patronage estimates derived based on the transport model adopted by the Government and the MTRCL in 2009 and 2015 when applications were made to the Legislative Council for funding for the XRL construction, inputting the data in relevant years, and taking into consideration the then latest planning data and development of Hong Kong and the Mainland as well as the demographic and socio-economic data at the time. Since the commissioning of the XRL, the Government and the MTRCL have been continuously monitoring changes in the XRL's patronage and making timely adjustments to control point resources, facilities, and services. Regarding operations, the MTRCL has been paying close attention to the actual patronage and market demand, and liaising with Mainland authorities from time to time to make appropriate adjustments to the operating timetable or train frequencies as needed, such as operating additional short-haul train trips for popular destinations during festive holidays, so as to meet passenger demand.
(2) and (3) As the Hong Kong operator of the XRL Hong Kong Section, the MTRCL has been continuously enhancing station facilities and XRL services as necessary in light of the travel patterns and demand of passengers, with a view to providing them with a more comfortable riding experience. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been closely monitoring the operation of the XRL West Kowloon Control Point, and enhanced the clearance capacity of the said control point along various aspects, including flexible deployment of manpower, effective use of information technology, and enhancement of port facilities, with a view to bringing greater convenience to cross-boundary passengers.
Regarding station facilities and layout, apart from reconfiguring the B1 departure level in 2023, the MTRCL has been providing more seats at all levels of the West Kowloon Station progressively since August 2024. Among them, there are over 1 400 seats set up across various waiting areas at the waiting hall on level B3. Meanwhile, mobile device charging facilities with USB ports are also available thereat for use by passengers in need. To ensure that passengers can queue in a smooth and orderly manner while waiting for and boarding trains even during peak periods, the MTRCL has reserved sufficient queuing space in the waiting areas and extended the entrances of some of the boarding gates towards the centre of the hall. It has also enhanced signage and provided train information and clearance situation updates using large electronic displays to facilitate passengers' easier access of relevant information for entry and boarding. The MTRCL and relevant authorities also deploy additional manpower to assist passengers during peak traffic periods with a view to ensuring a smooth clearance as well as a safe and comfortable XRL experience for passengers.
The MTRCL conducts regular surveys and studies to gauge passenger satisfaction with the services of the XRL Hong Kong Section. According to the MTRCL's Annual Report 2025, the Service Quality Index for the XRL Hong Kong Section rose from 82 in 2024 to 85 in 2025, which reflects an improvement in passenger satisfaction with the services of the XRL Hong Kong Section.
The Government and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the operation and patronage of the XRL Hong Kong Section and the West Kowloon Station, and review and enhance station and control point facilities in a timely manner, including improving the layouts of the ticketing concourse and the waiting hall, as well as facilities such as shops and seats in the station, while introducing more directly connected destinations at an opportune time in line with the development of the national high-speed rail network, so as to meet passengers' needs and the long-term development of the XRL.
(4) and (5) The National 15th Five-Year Plan proposed promoting the co-ordinated development of rail transit, strengthening regional infrastructural connectivity, supporting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a world-class city cluster, accelerating the Northern Metropolis (NM) development, and also specifically mentioned taking forward the preparatory work for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (HSWRL). The HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen authorities are taking forward at full steam the two cross-boundary railway projects, namely the HSWRL and the Northern Link Spur Line. Both projects serve the dual functions of cross-boundary travel and local commuting within Hong Kong, integrating the rail transit networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen through convenient co-location clearance arrangements and supporting the development of the NM in Hong Kong. The West Kowloon Station has 15 platforms, 10 of which are currently in operation, fully meeting operational requirements. We have no plan to build another high-speed rail station at this stage.
Ends/Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:40
Issued at HKT 11:40
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