Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung says since the Express Rail Link is expected to be commissioned in 2018, Hong Kong and the Mainland will decide on the train schedule nearer the time.
Prof Cheung told reporters today that the plan was for a mix of different trips to meet initial demand.
Based on figures compiled in a 2009 consultancy report, 54% of the short-haul trips between Hong Kong and Shenzhen/Guangzhou are expected to be direct trains, while 11 pairs of direct trains will run between Hong Kong and Guangzhou South on a daily basis, he said.
Prof Cheung made it clear that the figures were outlined in a consultancy report and that no decision on train schedules has been made yet.
He noted that in evaluating the economic benefits the rail link will bring, the shorter travelling time was only one of the factors taken into account.