New Huanggang checkpoint hit by second night of traffic jams
Traffic at the new Huanggang Port was disrupted for a second night, with waits of about 25 minutes. Drivers criticised the layout, and an industry figure warned that unlicensed cross-border cars and a lack of a bus lane could worsen congestion ahead of the holidays.
Traffic heading to the new Huanggang Port was disrupted for a second consecutive night, with some motorists facing waits of about 25 minutes before reaching the border checkpoint, according to a report by The Standard on 26 October 2026.
Drivers who have used the new facility criticised its traffic arrangements, saying the previous checkpoint had a longer buffer area that allowed vehicles to queue more efficiently. Some also raised concerns about the design of the pick-up and drop-off area, saying vehicles have to turn around before they can leave. One driver described the layout as a “dead end” that hindered traffic flow.
Eddie Choi Shun-kei, chairman of the Hong Kong Non-franchised Bus Association, said on a radio programme on Monday morning that the congestion over the past two nights could have been worsened by a large number of unlicensed cross-border private cars carrying passengers back to mainland China. He said cross-border coach operators had already increased services during peak periods to as frequently as every five minutes, but heavy congestion in San Tin had prevented some buses from returning in time for their next trips.
Choi suggested introducing a dedicated bus lane to separate coach traffic from other vehicles and improve turnaround times. With Christmas and New Year approaching, he said passenger numbers were expected to rise further and urged the government to improve traffic arrangements at the checkpoint as soon as possible.
