Be understanding about high-speed rail issues, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam urges public after bumpy start to ticket sales
Cross-border rail link is a ‘unique and complicated project’, chief executive says
Buyers complained about glitches and payment failures when purchasing tickets for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, which is set to commence operations on September 23.
“Overall, the first day of ticket sales yesterday has been smooth, but I totally understand the obstacles or the hiccups the citizens faced when they bought the tickets,” the chief executive said on Tuesday, ahead of her weekly Executive Council meeting.
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“I hope citizens will be understanding about that as the express rail link is a unique and complicated project.”
She said the HK$84.4 billion (US$10.8 billion) rail link was a cross-border project that would require integration with the railway network on the mainland, and time was needed for the necessary adjustments.
Although critics had characterised the public response as lukewarm, given that only about 6,500 tickets were sold on Monday, Lam said it was too early to tell, and more time was needed for observation. The rail link is forecast to carry at least 80,000 passengers a day.