In the blueprint submitted by the Development Bureau to the Tai Po District Council, the government is looking to construct the two-storey station closer to Science Park and Chinese University, instead of its intended location at the Education University of Hong Kong (EduHK) Sports Centre.
Construction is set to begin in the second half of 2028 and the station is slated for commission by 2033.
Once the new station between Tai Po Market and University opens for service, the journey time for commuters between Pak Shek Kok and Hong Kong Island or Kowloon will be shortened by 20 minutes.
The Development Bureau said the MTR expects the current capacity of East Rail Line would be sufficient to handle a surge in commuters, and it will increase train frequencies if necessary.
An elevated footbridge across Tolo Highway will be built to connect the station with the surrounding area.
Under the plan, the government will relocate the EduHK Sports Centre in Pak Shek Kok to the institution’s main campus in Tai Po, so as to grant the plot of land as well as another one in Ma On Shan to the railway operator for private residential development to help finance the project.
It will adopt a “station first, residential development later” approach, with property development work kicking off in phases as early as 2031.
The bureau added that moving the sports centre to the main campus would make things more convenient for EduHK students.
The overall price tag of the project has not been confirmed.
The Tai Po District Council is set to discuss the plan on Friday.
