LegCo members concerned about severe traffic congestion on HZMB

The government plans to open part of the regular quota for private cars on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to all Hong Kong permanent residents and Hong Kong-registered companies.

Currently, applicants for these quotas generally need to work in Macao or have business ties there. This new scheme aims to increase flexibility and benefit more people.

However, the quota proportion still needs to be studied, said Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics Edward Mak while attending the Panel on Transport meeting today (June 21).

Legislative Council (LegCo) member Gary Zhang expressed concerns about severe traffic congestion on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Zhang noted that while the bridge's capacity is not an issue, it is so tightly knit that it can become a bottleneck anywhere.

LegCo member for the Engineering sector, Lo Wai-kwok, described the driving experience on the bridge as having turned into a congestion experience.

Lo emphasized the high demand for northbound travel and the inevitability of implementing southbound travel for Guangdong vehicles in the future. He questioned what specific improvements would be made to the bridge's facilities.

In response, Mak stated that the Zhuhai port handles an exceptionally high volume of vehicles and passengers, as Macao uses the same port and also passes through Zhuhai.

He said Hong Kong has conveyed its concerns to Zhuhai authorities to ensure a good travel experience for its citizens.

"Zhuhai has already improved boundary crossing efficiency, including adding more lanes for small cars and providing real-time traffic information."

Several members inquired whether northbound travel for Hong Kong cars would be extended to ports other than the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Mak responded that the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments have agreed to actively study the extension to a land port between Hong Kong and Shenzhen after the northbound travel has operated for a period on the bridge. Further information will be collected from the Legislative Council in due course.