HONG KONG — The MTR Corporation will enhance train services on the East Rail Line and High Speed Rail (HSR) ahead of the Buddha’s Birthday long weekend, the transit operator announced, as authorities brace for a surge in passenger traffic beginning Friday.
The service enhancements, spanning four days, are designed to ease congestion and facilitate travel for commuters and cross-border passengers during one of Hong Kong’s public holidays.
On the East Rail Line, train frequencies will be increased during select morning and evening periods in both directions. Services to Lok Ma Chau Station during certain morning hours will be boosted, with headways cut from every 10 minutes to approximately every eight minutes. The same improvement will apply to trains running from Lok Ma Chau Station toward Admiralty between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Cross-border travelers using the Hong Kong Section of the HSR will also see additional capacity. Extra train pairs will be deployed on the route connecting Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Futian Station, with eight additional pairs of trains running on Saturday and 13 additional pairs on Sunday.
The Buddha’s Birthday public holiday, observed on the fourth month of the lunar calendar, typically draws large crowds to temples and tourist sites across the city, placing heightened demand on public transportation networks.
The MTR urged passengers to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra travel time during peak periods.
