At 15:34 on September 27, the Hong Kong Transport Department issued a specific alert warning that the vehicle plaza at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB) was “extremely busy,” with queues stretching over 500 metres and clearance times approaching 40 minutes. The notice, carried by Hong Kong Commercial Daily, urged private motorists to allow extra time and remain patient while queuing. Under the two-year-old “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles” pilot, car owners must pre-book slots to cross the bridge. However, many returning holidaymakers attempted last-minute changes—clogging the system and forcing authorities to consider rolling lane closures to prioritise public-transport coaches and cross-boundary buses. The disruption highlights a structural challenge: HZMB’s road-based immigration counters can process only about 3,000 vehicles per hour, compared with rail checkpoints that scan as many passengers in a fraction of the time. With Golden Week just days away, logistics firms fear shipment delays, while some mainland-based staff driving back to Hong Kong risk breaching rest-period rules if stuck in traffic. Corporate travel planners should alert employees holding both Hong Kong and Mainland licences to reconfirm booking references and examine alternative routes such as Shenzhen Bay or the HSR. Companies moving sensitive equipment should also check whether appointment slots align with Chinese Customs’ operating hours to avoid unexpected warehousing costs.
Source: Hong Kong Commercial Daily
