Hong Kong, March 3 (ZXS) -- The Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail will resume direct inter-provincial trains to Beijing, Shanghai and other cities on April 23. The new train tickets went on sale on March 4, and ticket buyers lined up in the ticket hall of the high-speed rail West Kowloon Station, and the 1,3 tickets distributed on site for ticket purchase were all distributed within a few hours.
On March 3, Hong Kong's West Kowloon Express Rail Station sold tickets for the Hong Kong inter-provincial long-distance train of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, which will resume from April 23. The picture shows many ticket buyers buying tickets at Hong Kong's West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station. Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Yongnuo
The MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) announced earlier that the Hong Kong section of the high-speed rail will resume direct inter-provincial trains to Beijing, Changsha, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan and other cities on April 4, and add five new stations, including Changping, Huizhou North, Heyuan East, Ganzhou West and Shengfang, expanding the network coverage to 1 stations nationwide. By then, the daily train frequency will be increased from the current 5 to 66, roughly returning to the pre-pandemic level.
New tickets will go on sale from 3 a.m. on March 23. On the morning of the same day, the reporter saw a crowd at Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station, with nearly 6 people queuing in front of a number of self-service ticket vending machines, and the line winding for more than 1500 meters. The manual ticket counter adopts the "dispatch" method, and passengers who want to go to the counter to buy tickets need to pick up the ticket number and wait. It is reported that a total of <>,<> chips were distributed throughout the day.
The picture shows a long queue in front of the self-service ticket purchase machine at Hong Kong's West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station. Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Yongnuo
According to MTR staff, there were a large number of ticket buyers on that day, and around 10 a.m., all the chips had been distributed. MTR staff said that they believe that with the long holidays of Qingming Festival and Easter approaching, there is a great demand for tourists to travel to the mainland and visit relatives. To assist passengers, MTR has deployed additional staff to answer passengers' questions and assist in ticket purchase at stations.
Mr Hui arrived at West Kowloon Station near 11 o'clock and could not get the chip. Mr. Xu told reporters that he planned to go to Shanghai to visit relatives, because he would not use the online ticket purchase system, he deliberately took advantage of the first day of ticket sales to try his luck, and it is expected to be a trip next month, so he is not discouraged if he can't buy a ticket today, and will come back in a few days.
The picture shows the display screen of Hong Kong's West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station showing the information of long-distance trains. Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Yongnuo
Ms. Ho failed to successfully grab tickets online and came to the self-service ticket vending machine at West Kowloon Station to purchase it. She plans to take her children to her hometown in Fujian to visit her mother, "I want to go back as soon as possible, the child has not visited her grandmother for a long time." ”
Ms. He said that in the past, it was necessary to take an overnight bus to reach Fujian, but now it is more convenient and saves a lot of time." Ms. He looked at the long line and told reporters: "I hope everyone can grab tickets today." (End)