Empty coach buses could be seen parked outside the terminus in Lok Ma Chau, while the operating licenses and the prohibited zone permits displayed were set to expire in March. The windows at the ticket office remained closed, and the seats were yet to be refurbished.

Eddie Choi, deputy general manager of Eternal East Cross-Border Coach Management, referred to the number of drivers and coach buses operating at the moment and expected about 30 percent of capacity can be deployed.

“As chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said before, the PCR test requirement and the quota may be canceled. We can then expect the number of travelers to be seen that day will be greater than that on January 8, the first day of border reopening.

“At this stage, the service will maintain at one bus departure every 30 minutes.”

He continued that no overnight service will be provided when the Huanggang border first reopens, and the coach buses will carry passengers from 6am to 11pm.

Choi said that the service can be enhanced to one bus departure every 20 minutes, if necessary. He believed the capacity could return to about 60 to 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels after a while.

The Huanggang border is currently being rebuilt, and Choi expected the new temporary passenger clearance building will commence service by then.

Choi also wanted authorities to allow drivers to familiarize themselves with the new driving lanes and routes.