Airport Express (MTR)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This is about Airport Express of MTR in Hong Kong. For other uses, see Airport Express (disambiguation).
| Airport Express | ||
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese: | 機場快綫 | |
| Mandarin | ||
| Hanyu Pinyin: | Jīcháng Kuàixìan | |
| Cantonese | ||
| Jyutping: | Gei1 Coeng4 Faai3 Sin3 | |
The Airport Express is one of the seven lines of the MTR in Hong Kong, China, providing the only train service between Hong Kong International Airport and the urban areas of Hong Kong.
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[edit] Introduction
The line runs from Hong Kong Station in the Central and Western District, through West Kowloon and the southwestern New Territories, to AsiaWorld-Expo station, located adjacent to Hong Kong International Airport.
Unlike all other MTR lines, the Airport Express is not primarily a commuter line. Instead, it provides express service for passengers using the Hong Kong International Airport (Airport Station) or for visitors to AsiaWorld-Expo (AsiaWorld-Expo Station). The line is not part of the MTR fare system, and its fare is much higher than any other MTR lines.
If used as a commuter line, the "Morning Express Service", is a special offer in which passengers can travel from Kowloon or Tsing Yi Stations to Hong Kong Station between 0700-1000 for only HK$20.
With the opening of Sunny Bay Station on the adjacent Tung Chung Line in June 2005, the total journey time between the Airport and Hong Kong Stations increased to 24 minutes, up from 23 at the beginning of the line's operation in 1998. With the opening of AsiaWorld-Expo, Airport Express was extended to AsiaWorld-Expo Station on 20th December, 2005. The complete journey time has been extended to 28 minutes, without affecting the journey time between Hong Kong Station and Airport Station.
The line is indicated in the colour teal.
The line runs mostly beside (sometimes directly on) the tracks of Tung Chung Line, but has its own tracks and platforms at stations, as well as diverting itself towards the Airport at the outskirts of Tung Chung town.
[edit] History
In October 1989, the Hong Kong government decided to replace the over-crowded Kai Tak International Airport, located in Kowloon, with a new airport to be constructed at Chek Lap Kok. The government also invited the MTR, then called the MTRC, to build an express line to the airport called the Lantau Airport Railway. The project did not begin until the Chinese government and the British government settled financial and land disagreements in November 1994.
The Lantau Airport Railway turned into two MTR lines: the Tung Chung Line and the Airport Express. The Airport Express began service on 6 July 1998, along with the new Hong Kong International Airport.
[edit] Features
The Airport Express features a more comfortable environment than the MTR's other operations and are designed specifically for airline passengers. There is a baggage hold beside each door, the soft seats are even better than First Class cabin of KCR East Rail and each seat is equipped with a mini LCD television showing current news, flight schedules, advertisements and announcements. The Airport Express has a more spacious environment and more passenger-friendly compartments and stations.
Currently, Airport Express passengers can check-in for flights and receive boarding passes for flights at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations, with no extra cost. However, this is not applicable to some minor airlines and flights flying to United States.
There are free Airport Express shuttle bus services at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations, travelling to several major hotels in Hong Kong Island, Yau Tsim Mong District, and also the Hung Hom KCR station.
Free porter service is also available at all stations except AsiaWorld-Expo to help passengers with baggage.
[edit] Fare system
Fares for the Airport Express are substantially different from main line fares. Single trips from the Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tsing Yi Stations to Airport Station (and vice-versa) cost HK$100, HK$90 and HK$60 respectively. Apart from single tickets, same-day return tickets (same price as a single), and one-month return tickets are also available. Some of these tickets are available from all MTR stations and MTR online booking service.
As of December 2005, a trip on the Airport Express from Hong Kong Station to the Airport or AsiaWorld-Expo Station costs HK$100, $50 concessionary rate. The rate for a one-month return ticket is HK$180. Discounts are available for group travellers of 2-4. Hong Kong residents can also obtain discount coupons, such as those sent from credit card companies.
Same-day return discount will be given to Octopus Card users who have stayed in AsiaWorld-Expo for at least 2 hours. The discounted fare costs HK$72 from Hong Kong Station, and includes free connection to other MTR lines. A single-trip from Airport to AsiaWorld-expo station is HK$5.
For the convenience of Airport passengers, the Airport Station does not have any turnstiles or gate barriers separating the paid and unpaid zones of the station.
Airport Express passengers using Octopus cards can connect the MTR urban lines for free, right before or after the Airport Express journey.
There are various promotions as well, such as Group Ticket Discount, free taxi connections, Rewarding program, Asia Miles program, etc. Passengers may also buy discounted tickets from some local travel agents.
Due the high fare of the Airport Express, some passengers who wish to travel more cheaply to the airport choose to use the cheaper, local Tung Chung Line combined with a bus route instead.
[edit] Morning Express Service
This is a special promotional service, allowing passengers from Tsing Yi and Kowloon stations travel to Hong Kong Station on weekday mornings at a discounted fare.
[edit] Route Map
[edit] Trains
The Airport Express line is served by 184 Bombardier Metro cars. *Press release with information regarding Airport Express
[edit] Stations
This is a list of all the stations on the Airport Express.
| Name | District | Connection(s) | Date opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express . | |||
| AsiaWorld-Expo | Islands | 20 December 2005 | |
| Airport | 6 July 1998 | ||
| Tsing Yi | Kwai Tsing | Tung Chung Line | |
| Kowloon | Yau Tsim Mong | ||
| Hong Kong | Central and Western | Tung Chung Line Central Station for Tsuen Wan Line and Island Line |
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[edit] See also
- MTR
- Trains of the Airport Express
- Transportation in Hong Kong
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
[edit] External links
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| Kwun Tong | Tsuen Wan | Island | Tung Chung | Airport Express | Tseung Kwan O | Disneyland Resort |
