HIGH-SPEED SLEEPERS PULL OUT ON ‘BREAKTHROUGH’ JOURNEYS
Transport chief hails services to Beijing and Shanghai that underline city’s role as ‘southern gateway’
The first high-speed overnight trains to Beijing and Shanghai sped out of Hong Kong yesterday, carrying the city’s transport chief, who called the service a “breakthrough”, and residents who embraced the journey as a more relaxing way to head north.
The China Railway trains were due to arrive in the two cities on time early this morning, delivering hundreds of well-rested passengers, the first of what will no doubt be many seizing on a new transport artery slicing through the eastern provinces.
But not all travellers were satisfied, with some complaining the lack of Wi-fi was surprising and had left them without their usual forms of entertainment.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung, who was among those taking the train to Beijing, hailed the new services as a “breakthrough” that offered an extra option for passengers who wanted to travel overnight and reach their destinations for work or other activities next morning.
He said city authorities would strive to expand the current fourday operation if demand soared.
“We will continue to work hard to maintain the important transport hub status of Hong Kong’s West Kowloon terminus as the country’s southern gateway,” Lam said.
China Railway announced earlier this month it would run the overnight operations from Friday to Monday each week.
The train to Beijing left on time at 6.24pm, with the service for Shanghai departing at 7.49pm.
The former was expected to take about 12½ hours and the latter 11 hours, halving overnight rail travel times while offering both regular seats and a range of sleeper cabins.
Brenda Yuen Choi-bik, 62, who works at a charity organisation and joined a tour group to Beijing with her sister, said they were surprised by how cosy the train was.
“At first, I felt the cabin is smaller than what I expected, but it feels homey after staying there for a while as all you need is a sitting and sleeping area,” Yuen said, adding the gifts that included a pair of ear plugs and an eyeshade were also “very thoughtful”.
The duo also enjoyed their supper in the dining compartment, which was a complimentary meal from the travel agency.
“It looks like a smaller version of a three-dish rice you buy in Hong Kong,” she said.
The dining compartment – decorated with red banners and balloons celebrating the inaugurated ride – was packed with passengers for dinner, including Lam. The train crew prepared special singing and dancing performances to entertain diners.
The Shanghai-bound D908 service left at 7.49pm on time.
Zhu Yefei, a 43-year-old construction worker, said he spent a week trying to buy the premium sleeper tickets exclusively available for the Shanghai-bound train, which were usually quickly snapped up, as he hoped to experience the journey with his son.
“I wish to take the train trip with my son while spending a lovely Father’s Day with him,” Zhu said.
For premium sleeper decks, there is a common area provided for passengers to sit and talk.
Zhu said the price of the premium sleeper tickets – between HK$1,613 and HK$1,821 – was quite expensive and he might choose the normal upper or lower deck options next time.
Pandora Chan, a 62-year-old secretary, said she was not satisfied with the facilities.
“There are only two chargers within one cabin available for the passengers while all are located at the lower deck,” Chan said, adding it was not convenient, especially for single travellers.
“There was also no Wi-fi provided on the train and I am very shocked about that.”
Chan called it “unacceptable” as it meant she could not watch TV dramas or chat with friends.
Retiree Lo Chan-Fai, 80, said the experience of travelling by high-speed rail was vastly different to that of the older trains.
Lo was travelling with his wife and two relatives on a trip to Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou, before returning on June 21 by sleeper train.
“When flying, there is always the concern about time being wasted for security checks and possible delays,” Lo said.
“This time is the best opportunity as four of us can stay together in one cabin and sleep comfortably for a night, avoiding any awkward situations.”
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu earlier said the sleeper trains would help to foster the city’s exchanges and integration with the mainland.