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Motorists from four Guangdong cities will be able to apply to enter Hong Kong under a new travel scheme from Saturday, while applications to drive into urban areas will open on December 9, the government has announced. The government said on Friday that applications for the “Park & Fly” car park at the port would open at 9am on November 1, with operations commencing at midnight on November 15. Both sides also agreed that eligible mainland applicants may submit applications from 9am on December 9 to drive into Hong Kong’s urban area via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, starting from midnight on December 23, following agreements between the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments. To ensure orderly implementation, the scheme will initially accept applications from four Guangdong cities – Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Jiangmen – before gradually extending to other cities in the province after six months. Under the “Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles” scheme, eligible private cars from Guangdong can park at the automated car parks at the Hong Kong Port of the bridge. Drivers and passengers may then transfer to flights via Hong Kong International Airport. The port offers 1,800 parking spaces with 24-hour automated parking and drop-off or pickup services. Alternatively, participants may enter Hong Kong using local transport or drive directly into the city via the bridge without obtaining a regular quota. For motorists wishing to enter the city’s urban area, the daily quota is set at 100 vehicles, with each vehicle allowed to stay in the city for up to three days. Applicants must first register for computer-based balloting through Guangdong’s information platform. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the scheme, along with its northbound counterpart allowing Hong Kong vehicles to travel to the mainland, complemented each other in promoting the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). “The Hong Kong government is taking forward the Southbound Travel Scheme in a steady manner, with a view to benefitting Hong Kong residents and society as a whole, as well as sharing the fruitful achievements of the integrated development of the GBA,” he said. Those utilising the scheme are expected to be high-spending individuals and families. The government will provide tourist parking guides to help participants plan their itineraries, offering suggested options related to transport, culture, sports, exhibitions, shopping and theme parks. The Guangdong Provincial Government also announced on Friday the regulations for the port car parks and urban entry under the Southbound Travel Scheme. These include detailed eligibility requirements for applicants, vehicles and drivers, insurance rules, port clearance procedures, driving necessities and mechanisms for handling non-compliance.
