CE Backs Call To Cut Frequency Of Guangzhou Trains

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, told lawmakers on Wednesday that the idea of cutting the frequency of services on the through train to Guangzhou on the old line was worth looking into.

She was responding to a question from DAB lawmaker Lau Kwok-fun, who said passenger numbers using the 12 daily trains to Guangzhou had fallen by 30 percent since the opening of the high-speed link last year.

He suggested that the SAR government should liaise with its mainland counterpart to reduce the number of intercity services from Hung Hom, saying it would allow the MTR Corporation to run more trains on the overcrowded East Rail Line, which uses the same track.

Lam said the proposal is logical and feasible, but several factors should be considered.

"For the inter-city train service, it terminates at a location in Guangzhou different from that for the express rail. So if we are to drastically reduce the service of the through train, it may cause some repercussions," she said.

"As to whether there is room for adjusting the frequency or the timetable of the through train, I think this can be considered," she said.