Hong Kong maintains restricted access to rebuilt Lok Ma Chau control point
Hong Kong's security chief says the rebuilt control point at Lok Ma Chau operates a restricted zone, barring private cars and ride-hailing vehicles. He says the arrangement best uses limited space, with an average of over 86,000 daily cross-border passengers on weekdays, more than double the old che
Hong Kong's security minister has defended the restricted-access management of the rebuilt control point at Lok Ma Chau, saying it is the most efficient use of limited space in the Hong Kong port area.
Secretary for Security Mr Tang Siu-fai, in a written reply to a legislator's question, said the new control point has 134 joint-checking automated passageways and 68 traditional manual counters. Since its opening, the average daily cross-border passenger flow on weekdays has exceeded 86,000, more than double the figure recorded at the old checkpoint. On weekends and public holidays, the daily average approaches 140,000.
Mr Tang said that, like the original checkpoint and other land border control points, the Hong Kong port area of the rebuilt facility operates as a restricted zone. Only cross-border vehicles with valid closed-road permits and designated public transport services—including franchised buses, minibuses, and urban and New Territories taxis—can enter the port area. He said no drop-off or pick-up areas are provided for private cars, including future licensed ride-hailing private cars.
The minister also revealed that the control point has reserved a passenger concourse to connect with a future spur line of the Northern Rail Link. Under the “one-stop, two-checkpoint” arrangement, the spur line will link the Hong Kong and Shenzhen metro networks. Mr Tang said the government expects the spur line and the main line to open simultaneously by 2034 or earlier. He added that the government will continue working with MTR Corporation to use innovative technology to speed up construction and aim for the early completion of the Northern Rail Link project.
