A shoe was left behind at the station in the early morning after railroad fans rushed to get on the first special train of the East Rail cross-harbor extension.

One passenger said crossing the harbor is “much more comfortable” as the East Rail Line is the only MTR line with a first-class carriage. "I can now sit in first-class from the New Territories directly to Hong Kong Island," he said.

An elderly who took the train with her daughter and grandson said, with the opening of the new extension, there is no need to change trains from the North District to Hong Kong Island and she could visit her grandson more frequently.

Her grandson said he had been looking forward to the opening of the cross-harbor extension since the opening of Tuen Ma Line, adding that he was happy to be able to get on it on the first day.

A railroad fan dressed up in a T-Rex costume to catch the first train at the Exhibition Centre Station. "I have been waiting for so long to cross the harbor from Sheung Shui in one go," he said.

Another passenger surnamed Wong brought champagne and a bouquet with him, saying he had been looking forward to the opening day for a long time and took a cab from Tseung Kwan O at 2.30am for the first train. The champagne and flowers were souvenirs for himself to celebrate the opening of the new station.

The cross-harbor section of the East Rail Line commenced service on Sunday. With the new extension, passengers can reach the commercial, convention & exhibition, and financial hubs in the Wan Chai North and Admiralty areas on the train without interchanging.