The Transport Department today announced that the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will extend the trial phase of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Greater Bay Area Quota Scheme.

It said the decision had been made in order to better utilise the bridge and facilitate the flow of people and vehicles between the three places. Letters will be issued from the end of November to eligible quota holders who own Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars inviting them to submit applications from December 1.

Under the trial phase of the scheme, owners of eligible Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars must hold necessary licences or permits for the three places, and must be allocated a quota to travel between Hong Kong and Macau via the bridge and between Hong Kong and Guangdong via one of the land crossings.

In addition, these vehicle owners will be approved to use the Hengqin Port to travel between Guangdong and Macau, and, where applicable, to use the Shenzhen Bay Port to travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The department said some 400 Hong Kong cross-boundary private car owners will benefit from the trial phase.

As for the validity period of each quota allocation under the trial phase, the department added that it will be no longer than that of a private car’s originally approved crossings.