Kowloon Southern Link
| Company type | Rail infrastructure project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation |
| Founded | 2009 |
Area served | Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong |
| Products | Rail transport services |
| Parent | MTR Corporation Limited |
The Kowloon Southern Link is an entirely subterranean segment of the MTR East Rail and Tuen Ma line, connecting Nam Cheong station with Hung Hom station. Situated along the southwestern shore of the Kowloon Peninsula, it runs to the east of the Tung Chung line and Airport Express tracks. This link features one underground intermediate stop, Austin station (previously known as West Kowloon station), located next to the Canton Road Government Offices and in close proximity to Kowloon station on the Tung Chung line and Airport Express, although no direct interchange is available.
History
The project was initially proposed by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) to connect the KCR West Rail terminus at Nam Cheong station with the KCR East Rail at Hung Hom. The segment between Hung Hom and East Tsim Sha Tsui, known as the Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, was inaugurated in 2004, helping to relieve passenger congestion at Kowloon Tong station by offering a second transfer point between KCR East Rail and MTR services.
Construction commenced in late 2005 under KCRC's management. After the network was taken over by MTR Corporation Limited (MTRC) on 2 December 2007, MTRC finalized the works. The Kowloon Southern Link began operations on 16 August 2009.
Upon completion, the West Rail line extended its route from East Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom, resulting in both East Rail and West Rail lines terminating at Hung Hom station. Platform arrangements there were modified to facilitate seamless cross-platform transfers via two island platforms.
With the opening, a new Tuen Mun-Hung Hom Monthly Pass was introduced, permitting unlimited travel across the entire West Rail line including this extension.
On 27 June 2021, the West Rail line merged with the Ma On Shan line, creating the expanded Tuen Ma line as part of the Sha Tin to Central Link. As a result, the Kowloon Southern Link now forms the central and southern portion of this extended Tuen Ma line.
Proposed Canton station
Canton station (Chinese: 廣東站) was a planned stop along the Kowloon Southern Link of the West Rail line, intended to be constructed beneath Harbour City's shopping complex in Tsim Sha Tsui, replacing an existing underground car park. However, this plan was abandoned due to unsuccessful negotiations between KCRC and The Wharf (Holdings) Limited, owner of Harbour City.
KCRC initially requested that The Wharf fully or partially cover the HKD 1.8 billion cost for building the station. The Wharf declined, arguing it was unreasonable for a private entity to finance public transit infrastructure expenses. Consequently, Canton station was excluded from the project, with this decision announced on 6 December 2004.
See also
References
External links
- Animation of KDB200 Construction
- MTR – Kowloon Southern Link Project Overview
- Environmental Impact Assessment for Kowloon Southern Link (endorsed by EPD)
- Details on Kowloon Southern Link provided by the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways, Transport Panel, Legislative Council of Hong Kong