Huge Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge car park will drive more visitors to city and airport, transport secretary says
- Transport and logistics secretary Lam Sai-hung says car park, with 1,000 spaces and plans for 6,000, will attract people from nearby cities to city and airport
- Lam says drivers can use car park and take transport directly to airport for flights
Lam Sai-hung, the transport and logistics secretary, revealed on Monday it was hoped the new car park would attract more drivers from nearby cities to Hong Kong or to use its airport.
The first phase of the facility, which will be able to hold 6,000 cars when fully completed, is scheduled to be ready by the end of the year, Lam said in a radio interview.
“The main aim of the new car park is to serve two groups of travellers,” Lam explained. “First, if you come by car from Macau or Guangdong, you can park your car there and then we have transport to take you directly to the airport for your flight to your destination.
“That also applies for when you return. Second, you can also park your car there if you do not need to take a flight.
“You can go directly to the checkpoint … and that counts as an arrival entry.
“We are offering these groups of travellers from Macau or the mainland one more choice. Otherwise, normally, you will take public transport to the Hong Kong port.”
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, the executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said the move could encourage more Macau residents and people in the western part of the Pearl River Delta to come to the city.
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“Obviously it will be a great convenience to self-drive mainland travellers,” Chui added. “For those who live near the pier [in Shenzhen or Zhuhai], they may still take the ferry to the Hong Kong airport. For self-drive visitors, however, they can simply park their cars at the checkpoint [at the Hong Kong Port of the bridge] and then board their flights.”
Lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming, who represents the transport sector, agreed the opening of the new car park would make “park and fly” a breeze.
“It will save self-drive mainland travellers a lot of time,” Yick said. “The only problem is that the car park has only 6,000 places.
“It may not be enough. And there is not much space in the Hong Kong Port area for expanding the car park.”
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Lam added during the radio interview that the scheme was part of a bigger plan to turn the city’s international airport into an “airport city” that included events such as conventions and exhibitions.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his budget statement last week the plan could be achieved through use of the opportunities brought about by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
Lam also highlighted the AsiaExpo, a venue for conventions, exhibitions and events, and SkyCity, a development made up of offices, hotel space, retail, dining and entertainment, as important parts of the airport city proposal.
Hong Kong airport at present has about 120 airlines operating flights to about 180 destinations worldwide.
