A police officer handles exit formalities of tourists at Luohu Port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, on May 3, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

About 6 million people out of a total of 7.5 million people entering and leaving Hong Kong during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays are expected to use land ports, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the authorities on the Chinese mainland and the special administrative region have decided to extend the service hours of two land crossings – Shenzhen Bay port and Lo Wu port, during the holidays to cater for an expected influx of cross-boundary passengers.

In addition to the Lok Mak Chau/Huanggang port – the only land checkpoint that operates 24 hours a day currently – the Shenzhen Bay port will operate round the clock from Feb 9-13

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Cheuk said as the Lo Wu port checkpoint, which can be reached by rail only – is expected to be the busiest land crossing over the holidays, the government has decided to extend its operating hours until 2 am on Feb 9, Lunar New Year’s Eve, and Feb 11, the nights featuring big celebrations.

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Deputizing for Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who is away in Switzerland at a United Nations meeting, Cheuk said the SAR government believes the extended hours can alleviate potential congestion at other ports as the railway has a strong carrying capacity compared with other modes of public transportation.

He said that on the two days with extended services, the last train bound for Lo Wu station on the East Rail Line will leave Admiralty station at 1am.

In addition to the Lok Mak Chau/Huanggang port – the only land checkpoint that operates 24 hours a day currently – the Shenzhen Bay port will operate round the clock from Feb 9-13.

Cheuk said the government is in discussions with transport operators to enhance traffic services connecting land ports such as the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Shenzhen Bay, Lok Mak Chau/Huanggang, the Hong Kong port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the Liantang-Heung Yuen Wai port.

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With the enhanced services, the government estimates that it can carry around 80,000 passengers from 9 pm to 1 am on Feb 9 and 11, which will be sufficient for people who need to cross the border late at night, Cheuk added.

Special arrangements will also be made for motorists. Cheuk said considering the limited capacity of the Lok Mak Chau-Huanggang port, which is under reconstruction, the government will only allow private vehicles with a dedicated permit for the port to cross the checkpoint from Feb 9-13. Other motorists should use the Shenzhen Bay Port during this period.

To prevent traffic congestion at the Lok Mak Chau/Huanggang land crossing, the Transport Department will designate specific lanes for the use of cross-border buses and other public transportation.

Contact the writer at lindaxi@chinadailyhk.com