MTR : welcomes the Government’s announcement on the proposed co-location arrangement

PR065/17 25 July 2017

The MTR Corporation welcomes the announcement made today (25 July 2017) by the HKSAR Government on the proposed co-location arrangement for the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link ("XRL").

"The proposed co-location arrangement, as announced by the Government, will maximise the service convenience for passengers in order to realize the XRL's full transportation and economic benefits," said Mr Lincoln Leong, Chief Executive Officer of the MTR Corporation.

"Over the past year, with the persistent and concerted efforts of the Project Team, the XRL project has achieved several key milestones and is progressing towards our target. The Corporation will continue to support the Government in pushing forward the project for commencement of passenger services in the third quarter of 2018," added Mr Leong.

The integrated testing and commissioning of the XRL project across the boundary has commenced in early July 2017. A Comprehensive Inspection Train ("CIT") arrived in Hong Kong last week to inspect railway infrastructure and systems including tracks, overhead lines, signaling system and communications system of the Express Rail Link.

The structural work at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station is substantially complete. Architectural Builder's Works and Finishes ("ABWF") and building services works, including those relating to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine ("CIQ") areas for both the Mainland and Hong Kong sides, are underway in WKT.

Meanwhile, five out of the nine XRL trains have been delivered to Hong Kong from the manufacturer in Qingdao. The remaining four trains are expected to arrive soon.

The XRL project is progressing according to schedule. As of end-June 2017, the XRL project was 94.3% complete. The MTR Corporation targets to open the XRL in the third quarter of 2018.

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About MTR Corporation

MTR Corporation is regarded as one of the world's leading railway operators for safety, reliability, customer service and cost efficiency. In its home base of Hong Kong, the Corporation operates ten commuter railway lines, a Light Rail network and a high-speed Airport Express link on which about 5.6 million passenger trips are made on a normal week day. Another 5.6 million passenger trips are made on the rail services it operates outside Hong Kong in the Mainland of China, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia. In addition, the Corporation is involved in a range of railway construction projects as well as railway consultancy and contracting services around the world. Leveraging on its railway expertise, the Corporation is involved in the development of transit-related residential and commercial property projects, property management, shopping malls leasing and management, advertising media and telecommunication services.

For more information about MTR Corporation, please visit www.mtr.com.hk.

Photo caption:

1. Five high-speed trains for the XRL project have been delivered to Hong Kong.

2. A Comprehensive Inspection Train, which is equipped to inspect the performance of tracks, overhead lines, signalling and communications systems, has arrived in Hong Kong to inspect the railway infrastructure and systems. Cross-boundary dynamic test of the XRL train running at full speed will commence upon the completion of CIT inspection.

3. Architectural Builder's Works and Finishes and building services works are progressing in full stream at different levels in the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.