Three card machines are expected at Lowu by end of year
Permanent residents with smart identity cards can now do a trial run of the automated immigration clearance system.
Three card-reading machines are expected to be installed at the Lowu checkpoint by the end of this year, Assistant Director of Immigration Raymond Wong Wai-man said yesterday.
About 270 channels for the system are planned to be fully operational at eight immigration checkpoints in early 2006.
It is expected that up to 1,000 travellers a minute will be able to complete clearance at Lowu after the system is installed.
'I hope the public will be more familiar with the use of smart identity cards when crossing the border,' he said. 'Also, I feel the public should give comments after they try the new facility.'