MTR Corporation has begun road trials in West Kowloon for an autonomous vehicle transfer service linking Hong Kong West Kowloon Station on the high-speed rail network with Kowloon Station on the Airport Express. Four sixth-generation Baidu Apollo private cars are being used on designated public roads under a pilot licence from Hong Kong’s Transport Department, with a backup operator on board during the initial passenger-free phase.
The route is intended to shorten rail-to-air transfers for passengers moving between the city’s two intermodal hubs, offering an alternative to the current walking connection. Coverage of the test route places the journey at around seven to eight minutes and includes roads such as Wui Man Road, Jordan Road and Nga Cheung Road.
The project is being developed with a possible public launch in the second quarter of 2027, subject to further trials and regulatory approval. The service is also expected to support baggage handling and in-town check-in arrangements at West Kowloon Station if later phases progress as planned.