Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Greater Bay Area Quota Scheme

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (October 23) that the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have agreed to launch the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Greater Bay Area Quota Scheme (GBA Quota Scheme) under which eligible Hong Kong and Macao cross-boundary private cars can travel between the three places with a view to better utilising the HZMB and facilitating the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

     A spokesman for the TD said, "Currently, Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars can either travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong or between Hong Kong and Macao through respective crossings. The GBA Quota Scheme will enable eligible Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars to travel between the three places through the HZMB.

     "Under the GBA Quota Scheme, in addition to their existing approved crossings, holders under the Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars quota will be approved to use the Cotai Frontier Post (Hengqin Port) to travel between Guangdong and Macao, and where applicable use the HZMB Macao Port to travel between Hong Kong and Macao and/or Shenzhen Bay Port (Note 1) to travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, such that their vehicles can travel between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao within the GBA via the HZMB."

     The relevant land crossings of the three places under the GBA Quota Scheme are shown in the diagram.

     "As this is a brand new scheme, the three governments have agreed to implement it in two phases. The first phase (trial phase) will accept applications within this month. The second phase (full phase) is expected to be implemented next year," the spokesman added.

     The trial phase will accept applications from Hong Kong and Macao cross-boundary private cars allocated under the quotas and with necessary licences/permits of the three places as of the end of June 2019. Eligible Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars must have been allocated under the quota for travelling between Hong Kong and Macao via the HZMB and the quota of one of the land crossings for travelling between Hong Kong and Guangdong. Some 40 Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars are expected to benefit from the trial phase. The validity period of the quota allocations under the trial phase for a private car will dovetail with that of its originally approved crossing (whichever is shorter). The TD will issue letters after October 28 to eligible quota holders to invite applications.

     Having regard to the implementation experience of the trial phase, the three governments will enhance the arrangements for the full phase of the GBA Quota Scheme. The initial thinking is that the full phase will be open for application to all Hong Kong and Macao cross-boundary private cars allocated under regular quotas for land crossings. The number of quota allocations will be further discussed among the three governments, taking into account various factors including the capacity of the control points and respective connecting roads of Hong Kong and Macao. The governments of Hong Kong and Macao will make their respective quota allocations in an open and fair manner.

     For application details for Macao cross-boundary private cars, please refer to the website of the Macao Transport Bureau (www.dsat.gov.mo).

Note 1: Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars approved to use the HZMB Zhuhai Port under the "investment category" of the regular quota would need to meet the tax amount requirement set by the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department for Shenzhen Bay Port before they can be approved to use the Port.