High-speed rail link helps keep Hong Kong on track for economic recovery

Hong Kong’s cross-border high-speed rail link went full steam ahead last year, setting record ridership figures. Along with a jump in visitors from mainland China, the numbers were welcome signs of economic recovery and the city’s continuing appeal.\nHowever, they also underscore challenges that lie ahead. This includes a need to refocus from just counting arrivals to coming up with ways to better attract and serve visitors and locals.\nThe MTR Corporation revealed on Sunday that passengers made more than 30 million trips using the high-speed line in 2025, a 17 per cent increase from 2024 that set a record. Cumulative patronage since the service launched in September 2018 surpassed 100 million journeys.\nThe West Kowloon rail terminus also reached a new single-day record of 140,000 passenger trips on December 27. The company said about 80 per cent of the high-speed rail passengers were short-haul travellers and the proportion of Hong Kong residents using the service had “steadily increased” to about 45 per cent.\nThe increased two-way traffic is important to note. Instead of just tourists coming south, Hong Kong residents are shuttling north to the mainland for dining and entertainment. It reflects how Greater Bay Area integration is moving beyond policy concept to reality.\nImmigration Department data released on the same day showed that the city welcomed nearly 660,000 mainland Chinese visitors over the new year countdown and subsequent three-day holiday. Cross-border activity rose 72 per cent from the same period a year ago.\nBut while the surge was a boost for the hotel sector, it brought limited benefits for retailers. The old patterns have changed as visitors chase experiences, culture and other attractions they cannot find at home or online.\nThe takeaway for both retail and hospitality sectors is that they need to offer innovative, high-quality experiences. It is increasingly clear that big spenders are not returning and the industry needs to adapt to offer more for budget or experience-focused customers.\nEven the MTR seems to be embracing change. MTR Corporation CEO Jeny Yeung Mei-chun said the rail giant was proactively working to improve the travel experience, expand the network and promote integration.\nThe new year has ushered in hope that transport links will continue to drive traffic that can enhance regional integration and the prosperity that goes with it. The city’s task for 2026 and beyond will be to prove it is much more than a stop on the line, but rather a worthy destination for the travellers of tomorrow.\n