Hong Kong braces for Halloween cross-border travel surge at Lok Ma Chau
Hong Kong's Chief Secretary has announced measures to manage a surge in cross-border traffic at Lok Ma Chau during Halloween weekend, including priority for public transport, crackdowns on illegal taxis, and urging travellers to use other ports or stay overnight in Hong Kong.
The Chief Secretary of Hong Kong, together with the Secretary for Security, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, and representatives from various government bureaux and departments, held a cross-departmental meeting on 28 October to coordinate preparations for handling peak cross-border passenger and vehicle flows at Lok Ma Chau (Hong Kong) Control Point during the Halloween weekend.
With Halloween events, the Hong Kong Wine and Gourmet Festival at the Central Harbourfront, and a major concert at the Kai Tak Sports Park, the government expects a significant increase in visitor arrivals and late-night cross-border trips. The peak period for northbound departures and vehicles at Lok Ma Chau is forecast to be from 30 October (Friday) to 1 November (Sunday), between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. each night, leading to heavy traffic at the control point and along San Wan Road.
The Chief Secretary has instructed port authorities to deploy sufficient staff and coordinate closely with counterparts in the mainland to open all vehicle lanes, e-channels, and counters early during peak crossing times. The Transport Department and public transport operators have been told to prepare enough vehicles, drivers, and marshalling staff to meet travellers' transport needs.
Road capacity and the control point's ability to process cross-border private cars are limited. With all lanes open, the port can handle about 360 vehicles per hour, given an average clearance time of about two minutes per car. During the early hours of 24 October, nearly 1,000 private cars crossed northbound through Lok Ma Chau in two hours. Vehicle buffer zones will be used, and private cars will face longer waiting times.
To maximise efficiency during peak hours, the government will give priority to public transport, including franchised buses, minibuses, and cross-border coaches, through dedicated lanes and police traffic management. Private car users should expect waiting times at buffer zones and vehicle inspection lanes of over an hour, possibly longer.
The Chief Secretary also instructed the police and Transport Department to crack down on illegal cross-border 'white number plate' cars offering unlicensed rides. Offending drivers will be prosecuted, their vehicles seized, and their closed-road permits revoked. The Shenzhen authorities will be informed for appropriate enforcement action. Unlicensed ride services may invalidate the car's insurance, with serious consequences in the event of an accident.
The Chief Secretary urged travellers planning to return to the mainland after late-night activities to consider three points: use other land and rail ports before they close, to avoid concentrating on Lok Ma Chau; take public transport for late-night crossings, as priority will be given to buses and coaches; and consider staying overnight in Hong Kong, as hotel rooms are available and event ticket stubs offer discounts at over 40 and 250 outlets respectively, allowing a more comfortable trip while avoiding the peak crossing period from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
