Entry of Guangdong cars into HK urban areas faces rethink

Wallis Wang

More than a million vehicles have used the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge so far this year, while Guangdong's Greater Bay Area Office deputy director Zhu Yonghui expects the new infrastructure in the area, including the mega bridge and express rail, to cut travel time between the region's major cities to within an hour.

It came as Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung once again attempted to allay Hongkongers' concerns on a planned Guangdong private cars driving to Hong Kong scheme, as he said the administration is rethinking whether to allow mainland vehicles to drive and park in urban areas.

Speaking at a GBA development briefing, Zhu said mainland authorities will follow up on the scheme to allow Guangdong drivers to visit Hong Kong in their private cars.

He said authorities will continue to work on a mutual inspection arrangement so that drivers only need to go through one checkpoint when crossing the border.

Zhu said the major transport infrastructure projects in the GBA have been completed in recent years, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

Authorities aim to shorten the travel time between GBA cities to within one hour, he said. Travelers will be able to arrive in other Guangdong cities within two hours.

Lam has said scheme involving Guangdong private cars coming to Hong Kong will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase early next year allowing mainland drivers to park their cars at the bridge's Hong Kong port before boarding a plane or visiting. In the second phase, mainland drivers will be permitted to enter the SAR.

Speaking on radio, Lam said authorities are still studying the arrangement for the second phase.

"Hong Kong is a small city and allowing mainland drivers to park in popular tourist areas, including Tsim Sha Tsui and the harbor area, will cause traffic problems," he said.

Lam said authorities are still considering the detailed arrangements and possible restrictions for mainland drivers.

"For example, Tsim Sha Tsui is definitely a crowded place with limited parking spaces. Should we restrict Guangdong drivers [from parking there]?"

Separately, Lam said the three intermediate stations at Northeast Tsuen Wan, Northeast Kwai Chung and Tsuen King Circuit on the new Central Rail Link - proposed in the policy address - will boost the overall transportation efficiency.

While the three stations will ease congestion and benefit residents, he said the stations will not hinder the completion date of the railway line.