Getting on the soon-to-open聽high speed聽rail link between Hong Kong and the mainland will take about as long as the train trip to Guangzhou, according to MTR officials,聽who also played down further evidence of water leakage revealed by a lawmaker.
Speaking , MTR operating chief Li Shing Kee advised passengers wanting to take the express train when it opens next month to arrive at least 45 minutes early to clear customs and security checks.
According , it is expected to take 48 minutes聽to travel from聽West Kowloon to Guangzhou (South) via Shenzhen.
The advertisement was criticized by some for being misleading as to reach downtown聽Guangzhou, reported the SCMP.
The controversial security arrangement — which will see mainland security officials stationed the West Kowloon terminus — was largely justified by officials for its efficiency. 聽
Li said he believed waiting times would be shortened in the future.
The project聽has drawn major criticism from pro-democracy lawmakers and Hong Kong鈥檚 Bar Association for violating the city鈥檚 Basic Law by allowing Chinese officials to enforce mainland law in the heart of Hong Kong.
A judge this week rejected an application to delay the line鈥檚 opening before legal challenges to the 鈥榗o-location bill鈥, which allows mainland officials to operate within a designated zone within the station鈥, were heard.
At the press conference General Manager of the Express Rail Simon Tang also addressed persistent concerns of water leakage in the tunnel and platform, following the release of .
鈥淩egarding the water leakage problem in the tunnel and platform, due to the technical limitations, it is difficult to make it 100% waterproof and we have designed a drainage system to with the water. From an engineering point of view, the construction is up to standard,鈥 he said.
Opening days for the Kowloon West terminus for the express rail will be held on September 1 and 2. To attend the free event, people can request聽tickets which will be available next month. Trains are expected to start running later in month.
