‘Full marks’ for Hong Kong high-speed train's maiden cross-border voyage, though some warn real test is yet to come
City and mainland leaders praise ‘smooth’ and ‘comfortable’ ride as rail link prepares to open doors to thousands of commuters
Hong Kong’s first high-speed train got off to a smooth start on Saturday as it took leaders from the city and the mainland across the border, with one lawmaker giving it 100 marks, although he warned that the real test would come the next day, when doors opened to the public.
After officiating the opening ceremony at the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link’s West Kowloon terminus, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Guangdong governor Ma Xingrui, along with several hundred guests – including mainland officials and pro-establishment politicians – embarked on a 43-minute ride to Guangzhou South station.
“It was very quiet, like I was on a plane,” Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun said, noting how the train was travelling at up to 300km/h between Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
His one complaint was the lack of luggage space, though he still gave the experience a high score.
“Today, to be frank, of course I’d give them 100 marks, but we’ll have to see about tomorrow,” Tien said. The HK$84.4 billion (US$11.3 billion) rail link’s first train for public travellers is set to leave for Shenzhen North station at 7am, with thousands of commuters expected to use the service daily.
Pro-Beijing lawyer Maggie Chan Man-ki sent a video to the media featuring some of the 36 delegates representing the city in the National People's Congress on-board the “Vibrant Express”.
“Co-location makes it convenient for the masses! Yeah!” the group chanted in unison, punctuating each line with a thumbs up.