Explainer | What can commuters expect from cross-harbour section of Hong Kong’s most expensive rail project when it opens on May 15?
- Travel times are expected to be shorter, with journeys between Tai Wai and Admiralty on East Rail line taking only 17 minutes without need to change lines
- Smart facilities in place to help passengers choose time-saving routes, pick train cars with more space
The Post examines what this long-awaited rail section has in store for commuters.
1. How will commuters benefit from the cross-harbour section of Sha Tin to Central link?
The section, also known as the cross-harbour extension of the East Rail line from Hung Hom station to Admiralty station, via the new Exhibition Centre stop at Wan Chai North, will see the rail line extending to 46km through 16 stations.
With the new extension, the East Rail line will become the fourth cross-harbour railway route which will directly connect the northeastern New Territories, central Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Commuters will be able to reach the commercial, convention, exhibition and financial hubs in the Wan Chai North and Admiralty areas without changing lines.
Admiralty station will become a mega interchange station of four railway lines – East Rail line, Tsuen Wan line, Island line and South Island line.
Travel times will be shorter. With a new signalling system, the nine-car trains on the extended East Rail line will run at 2.7-minute intervals during peak hours, with journeys between Tai Wai and Admiralty taking only 17 minutes without the need of an interchange, 11 minutes faster than using indirect routes.