Drivers of cross-border private cars heading north through New Huanggang Port during Halloween weekend could wait more than an hour at the busiest times, Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki warned. The northbound peak is expected from 11pm to 2am on each night from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.
The warning follows heavy late-night congestion on roads leading to the port the previous weekend. Chan said that, even with all vehicle lanes open, it could process about 360 cross-border vehicles an hour, based on an estimated two minutes to handle each vehicle. Nearly 1,000 cross-border private cars travelled north through the port in two hours last Saturday, prompting officials to open a vehicle buffer area; private cars faced long waits.
Chan attributed the expected increase in late-night travel to Halloween activities around Hong Kong, a food and wine festival on the Central waterfront and a large concert at Kai Tak Sports Park.
Officials plan to give public transport priority during the rush, using dedicated lanes and police traffic controls to favour franchised buses, minibuses and cross-border coaches. Chan urged travellers to avoid the peak, use public transport or consider other checkpoints before they close. Visitors could also stay in Hong Kong overnight to miss the late-night rush.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau has arranged additional overnight services, including 40 special SP12 buses between Kai Tak Sports Park’s bus terminus and Huanggang Port. The B13 service to Huanggang is due to run more frequently from 11pm.
A new bus route from Central to Huanggang Port is planned to run from 1am to 4am. Five cross-border coach routes are also to be strengthened, with operators aiming for departures every five minutes.