Hong Kong’s boundary control points’ operating hours will remain unchanged during the Chinese New Year holiday, the special administrative region government has announced after discussions with Chinese mainland authorities.

The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will operate around the clock as usual during holidays, and the MTR’s local services will run overnight on the eve of Chinese New Year – which falls on Jan 28. Metro lines with overnight service will not include Airport Express and Disneyland Resort Line, and the East Rail Line between Sheung Shui and Lo Wu Station or Lok Ma Chau stations.

Around 8.67 million people are expected to enter or leave Hong Kong from Jan 28 to Feb 4 – which is also the mainland’s Spring Festival Golden Week — according to SAR government estimates. The flow of travelers will include approximately 1.43 million mainland arrivals.

READ MORE: HK to welcome 1.4m mainland tourists over Spring Festival holiday

In 2024, some land crossings extended service hours at Chinese New Year. But this time, Hong Kong and mainland authorities have decided not to prolong the checkpoints’ operation times.

The authorities and tourism industry have made plans to accommodate the surge in visitors, including enhanced services at checkpoints and crowd control measures at attractions.

Cross-border public transportation services, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus, will be enhanced during the holidays. Special bus services will also be available at Sheung Shui Station from Jan 29 to 31 for passengers who miss the last train to Lo Wu control point.

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Citybus will increase some routes’ frequencies during the holidays, primarily serving passengers late at night or in the early morning, and open special routes connecting the city’s Chinese New Year fairs. Kowloon Motor Bus will offer free rides for children aged 11 or below on its routes connecting to major land checkpoints during the Spring Festival, and enhance services on selected routes.

The Transport Department pointed out that special traffic arrangements may be enforced at Lok Ma Chau control point and Shenzhen Bay port from Jan 25 to Feb 2. Private car drivers are advised to stay alert to information displays and traffic signs.

Anticipating a surge in cross-border private vehicles during the holiday period, the department urged drivers to opt for off-peak travel times whenever feasible.

Furthermore, from Jan 28 to Feb 4, small passenger vehicles with seven seats or less will be exempt from tolls on all mainland highways including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

READ MORE: Chinese New Year fairs heat up festive vibe

The HKSAR government also noted that the peak period of outbound and inbound travelers using land border control points is expected to fall on Jan 31, the third day of the Year of the Snake, and Feb 2, with an expected 567,000 and 640,000 people respectively.

Travelers are advised to plan in advance, avoid setting out during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com