Bus operators for Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge suggest better passenger control and logistics to ease traffic pressure

After long queues mark opening weekend of mega project, cross-border coach firms say relaxed rules for driving licences and tighter management of queues can help

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Cross-border coaches for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge are in demand. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 5:39pm, 30 Oct 2018Updated: 10:09pm, 30 Oct 2018

Cross-border transport service providers on Tuesday floated suggestions for better passenger control and logistics to ease traffic pressure at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, days after thousands of passengers were stranded at port facilities for hours.

Relaxed regulations for driving licenses and tighter management of queues were urged to ensure smooth operation for the 24-hour shuttle bus service between the three cities’ border checkpoints.

Speaking ahead of an Executive Council meeting, which he chaired on behalf of Hong Kong’s chief executive, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung voiced concern about the crowds and bus service issues at the mega bridge.

Noting 68,000 and 78,000 people crossed the border using the bridge on Saturday and Sunday respectively – twice the figures recorded on weekdays – Cheung called the long waits “undesirable”.

“That situation was certainly not satisfactory.”

Cheung added that the Transport Department would work closely with the operators to iron out the problems and find viable solutions, liaising closely with both Macau and Zhuhai authorities.

“We hope the operators can deploy more buses to tackle the situation if warranted,” he said.

The bridge was open to the public last Wednesday after two years’ of delays and budget overruns in the billions of dollars.