Hong Kong braces for 11.38 million trips during Lunar New Year travel rush
Projected figure marks 16 per cent increase from last year, according to Immigration Department
Residents and visitors are expected to make nearly 11.4 million trips in and out of Hong Kong over the Lunar New Year holiday, marking a projected 16 per cent increase from last year.
The Immigration Department released the 10-day estimate following an interdepartmental working group meeting on festive arrangements chaired by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki on Thursday.
It covers the period from Saturday, the 27th day of the last month of the lunar calendar, to February 23, the seventh day after the new year.
The department estimated that most of the 11.38 million trips – about 9.52 million – would be made through land boundary control points, including Lo Wu, the Lok Ma Chau spur line connecting the MTR’s Lok Ma Chau station and the Shenzhen Bay crossings.
During the same period last year, total passenger traffic across all immigration control points covering air, land and sea, reached 9.8 million. If this year’s projection proves accurate, the figure will represent a 16.12 per cent increase year on year.
“The Immigration Department advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and television broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points,” the working group said in a statement.