Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) unveiled its new “Park & Visit” programme on 27 July, allowing eligible private cars from all nine Guangdong Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities and Macao to drive across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), park at an automated facility on the bridge’s Hong Kong Port Island, clear immigration on foot and explore the city using public transport. The initiative builds on last November’s “Park & Fly” service and the recent expansion of the Southbound Travel Scheme, which doubled the daily quota of Guangdong vehicles allowed into Hong Kong’s urban area to 200. By separating parking from downtown traffic, officials hope to ease congestion while luring high-spending day-trippers to Lantau’s attractions and urban shopping districts. For GBA executives, the scheme removes a longstanding pain-point: the need to arrange separate cross-boundary vehicle insurance and quotas for city driving. Drivers book a space online, pay HK$400 per day, and leave their vehicle in a fully automated car park next to the passenger clearance building. A dedicated shuttle whisks passengers to immigration, after which they can board the Airport Express or local buses. Airport Authority Hong Kong is courting partners to offer discounts on theme-park tickets and retail coupons tied to the parking booking reference. Retail analysts predict that if 200 vehicles use the service daily with an average party size of three, the scheme could inject HK$900 million in visitor spending annually. Logistics managers with cross-border fleets should note that “Park & Visit” currently applies only to private cars, not goods vehicles. Cars must hold Mainland licence plates and valid HZMB permits; Hong Kong-registered cars are still barred from driving northbound without separate approval. Insurance coverage must specify operation within the HKIA port area.
Source: TTR Weekly
