Hong Kong’s Transport Department has authorised an additional 40 cross-boundary High-Speed Rail (HSR) trains between West Kowloon Station and key mainland hubs from 23 September through 8 October. According to a Special Traffic News bulletin issued at 21:30 on 22 September, temporary trains will run to Futian, Shenzhenbei and, for the first time during a festive peak, Beijing West. Tickets for the extra services went on sale the same evening via the 12306 platform, appointed agents and the West Kowloon ticket hall. The move is designed to relieve what officials describe as “unprecedented” demand ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival (25 September) and the week-long National Day Golden Week that begins on 1 October. The extra quota represents a 12 per cent capacity bump on the Shenzhen corridor and a 20 per cent boost on the Beijing route. For businesses moving staff between Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area cities, the added trains reduce the risk of expensive last-minute air travel and help maintain supply-chain schedules that hinge on same-day cross-border travel. Mobility managers should advise travellers to secure seats quickly; popular morning northbound and evening southbound trains historically sell out within hours during Golden Week. Corporates operating government-speed incentive schemes should also note that e-channel enrolment remains mandatory for employees who intend to use self-service gates at West Kowloon. The Immigration Department has confirmed to the Standard that its clearance capacity can handle the higher passenger volume. Travellers are reminded to arrive at least 60 minutes before departure for security and joint-inspection formalities. The additional services underscore Hong Kong’s strategy of leveraging rail links to cement its role as a gateway to the mainland’s southern powerhouse cities, a cornerstone of the city’s wider Greater Bay Area mobility blueprint.
