DAB in big push to speed up cross-border travel

MTR fares from Hong Kong to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations should be lowered to HK$10 from the current lowest fare at HK$25, to facilitate people traveling via the Luohu and Futian ports, the city's largest pro-establishment party suggested.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong also suggested setting up automatic counters at the border between Hong Kong and the mainland in new or to-be-reconstructed ports so travelers can complete all immigration procedures in one go.

The party made 19 recommendations to the Security Bureau and urged officials to discuss the proposal with their mainland counterparts to improve cross-border services.

It suggested extending the operation hours of control points, implementing convenient modes of customs clearance and speeding up the development of land surrounding various boundary crossings.

DAB chairwoman Starry Lee Wai-king said the fares to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau were unreasonable and outdated.

The party said fares could be reduced to the same level as other public transport such as buses and minibuses - with fares of around HK$10 - to attract travelers from other land ports in order to avoid the long waiting time for the limited-capacity buses.

Lee also said the party will discuss the MTR operating time with MTRC, suggesting an extension of the service hours of Futian port to 12am - to align with Luohu port - and further extend the service hours of both ports to 2am on weekends and holidays.

It will also discuss increasing the frequency of the MTR trains to Lok Ma Chau.

The party suggested providing 24-hour clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay and Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang control points.

It proposed to adopt "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" - a one-stop inspection system allowing travelers to complete both SAR and mainland border-crossing requirements - at newly renovated checkpoints, such as the Huanggang and Sha Tau Kok ports.

"Currently we have to go to two separate customs," Lee said. "But if we can tackle all the technical issues, including legal issues, then we can just put the [SAR and mainland] customs together to save on the queuing time."

The new mode has been implemented at Macau's Hengqin port and, the party said, it only takes 24 seconds for a traveler to pass the check.

DAB lawmaker Edward Lau Kwok-fan also urged authorities to speed up the development of lands surrounding Heung Yuen Wai control point, saying shopping malls and metro services have been completed near the Liantang port, while there is only "barren land" in the Hong Kong side.

He also suggested authorities make full use of the unique geographical advantage of Sha Tau Kok to promote the Sha Tau Kok tourism zone.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com