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Friday, Jan 03, 2025
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About 450,000 HK vehicles benefit from northbound travel scheme
A scheme facilitating northbound travel to the mainland is expected to benefit about 450,000 Hong Kong vehicles, according to Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung, as he noted that authorities are now mulling similar arrangements for mainland vehicles to travel southbound as well.
Lam said the scheme could provide a new passage for citizens to travel to Guangdong for short-haul family visits, business and leisure trips.
It not only strengthens Hongkongers’ understanding of the mainland but also helps the city participate in the national planning of the GBA.
As for the arrangements of mainland vehicles coming down south, Lam pointed to the relatively small area of the SAR and said the detailed arrangements must be carefully considered.
Authorities will decide if the quota for the scheme should be increased based on citizens’ feedback and how smoothly the applications go. When asked if border points other than the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will be opened for the scheme, Lam said it depends on the actual circumstances after the scheme commences and the capability of the bridge.
Lam also believed many Hong Kong drivers have experience handling vehicles with the driver seat placed on the left. He pointed out there are many courses in the city that help drivers better grasp the traffic rules on the mainland as well.
It not only strengthens Hongkongers’ understanding of the mainland but also helps the city participate in the national planning of the GBA.
As for the arrangements of mainland vehicles coming down south, Lam pointed to the relatively small area of the SAR and said the detailed arrangements must be carefully considered.
Authorities will decide if the quota for the scheme should be increased based on citizens’ feedback and how smoothly the applications go. When asked if border points other than the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will be opened for the scheme, Lam said it depends on the actual circumstances after the scheme commences and the capability of the bridge.
Lam also believed many Hong Kong drivers have experience handling vehicles with the driver seat placed on the left. He pointed out there are many courses in the city that help drivers better grasp the traffic rules on the mainland as well.
