The relatively underused Heung Yuen Wai crossing saw a more modest 60.5 per cent increase, suggesting it could be a relief point for the overstretched Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu crossings. Introducing free and frequent shuttle services from Fanling MTR station to Heung Yuen Wai could significantly ease crowded conditions. Shuttle buses could also direct passengers bound for Lok Ma Chau to the Man Kam To checkpoint, which served fewer than 4,000 passengers on March 29.

The current Immigration Department app only reports the status of each checkpoint as “normal”, “busy” or “very busy”. The government should disclose the number of passengers in real time as well as the capacity of the checkpoints so travellers can plan their trips accordingly.

Transparent and proactive communication, coupled with strategic routing adjustments based on real-time traffic data and checkpoint capacity information, is essential for managing the massive volume of cross-border travel efficiently. I urge the Transport Department to form a special task force together with the MTR Corporation, bus companies and the Immigration Department to mitigate congestion and ensure the comfort and safety of all travellers during holiday seasons.

Simon Wang, Kowloon Tong