Passenger numbers through local checkpoint on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge hit record high after shuttle bus services enhanced
- Waiting times for passengers coming into Hong Kong from mainland side down to 20 minutes from an hour a week ago
- ‘Golden bus’ fleet enhanced with more vehicles after thousands of people kept waiting on first weekend of operation
Passenger numbers through the Hong Kong checkpoint on a cross-border mega bridge hit a record high on Saturday after authorities rolled out measures to improve shuttle bus services and avoid a repeat of the travel chaos last weekend.
As of 8pm, almost 78,300 passengers crossed the city’s port area, according to Hong Kong’s Immigration Department, compared with about 78,000 recorded last Sunday, the previous high.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan visited the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge earlier in the day and noted that traffic was orderly after arrangements were made to enhance passenger flow.
He said he believed the overall figure could hit a high, with more than 50,000 people having crossed the Hong Kong checkpoint by around 4pm on the 55km over-sea link, the world’s longest. Last Saturday’s overall number was 59,000.
But long queues were still seen at the mainland checkpoint of the bridge around noon, with hundreds of travellers waiting for about 20 minutes for a seat on shuttle buses bound for Hong Kong.
Many of the travellers were from mainland tour groups led by flag-wielding tour guides.
