Almost 170 private cars from the mainland crossed into Hong Kong on Saturday under the newly enlarged Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles programme, according to figures released at the launch ceremony on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said applications outpaced supply three-to-one, with 60 % coming from the five newly added cities. Hoteliers and shopping-mall operators moved quickly, rolling out parking-plus-accommodation bundles and dining coupons targeted at self-drive tourists. A Kowloon hotel reported its weekend stay-and-park package selling out within hours, signalling pent-up demand for flexible, car-based travel. Retail analysts predict self-drive visitors will spend 20-30 % more per trip than coach passengers because of easier luggage handling and group travel. Industry groups welcomed the fresh inflow but cautioned against traffic congestion in central districts. The Automobile Association urged authorities to monitor parking availability and consider dynamic road-pricing to discourage unnecessary urban driving. Meanwhile, border authorities said clearance times averaged just 55 seconds per vehicle on opening day, validating the e-channel technology deployed at HZMB. For companies relocating staff between GBA offices, the early passenger mix – 70 % leisure, 30 % business – suggests new opportunities for off-site meetings and client visits by car. Mobility planners should bookmark the Transport Department’s real-time quota dashboard to secure slots during peak trade-fair periods.
Source: South China Morning Post
