Hong Kong is set to allow private cars from Macau and mainland China to reach the neighbouring SAR’s border at the he Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge under a new southbound scheme as early as the end of the year.
According to South China Morning Post, citing Hong Kong’s transport minister, the start of the scheme will be on a smaller scale than previously suggested, with several hundred vehicles likely to be allowed.
The Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme will initially provide more than 1,000 automated parking spaces on the artificial island at the Hong Kong border of the mega-bridge.
This is a departure from the previously reported plan to provide 6,000 spaces.
“We want to start with a smaller scale,” Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung was quoted as saying.
“If demand is good, we will plan the next stage of development. I expect it to be popular.”
As part of a drive to achieve the goal of a “one-hour life circle”, the scheme will allow visitors from Macau and Guangdong province to drive to Hong Kong, park their cars on the artificial island of the 55-kilometre link.
They can then take a bus to the city’s airport for international travel, or enter Hong Kong through the bridge checkpoint.
The parking arrangement means drivers will not be allowed to drive around Hong Kong, which will ease traffic pressure in the city, SCMP notes.
A separate scheme grants limited quotes for Macau private and company vehicles to Hong Kong, an allocation which is determined by lucky draw.Â
The latest batch of three-year permits, comprising 750 vehicles, was unveiled last month. A previous allocation of 2,500 quotas was rolled out earlier this year.
