9,500 Hong Kong motorists sign up for scheme to drive in mainland China, nearly 7 times quota limit
- Drivers who win quota slot via ballot will each need to pay up to HK$3,000 for relevant documents, inspection fees and insurance policy
- Authorities have fixed quota of 200 cars per day in first week and 300 daily in second to ensure smooth start
About 9,500 Hong Kong motorists signed up for an expanded scheme to drive to mainland China via a mega bridge when registration opened on Monday, nearly seven times the quota set for the first week of its launch in July.
Those who win a quota slot via a ballot will each need to pay up to HK$3,000 (US$383) for the relevant documents, inspection fees and insurance policy and meet certain criteria before they can drive across the border, according to transport officials.
Known as “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles”, the scheme will allow residents to drive into Guangdong province via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, with permits that will be valid for up to one year starting from July 1.
About 9,500 applications were received as of 5pm on Monday, when the two-day registration period opened for those hoping to get the cross-border driving licence in the first week of the launch, according to transport authorities.
Authorities have fixed a quota of 200 cars a day in the first week and 300 daily in the second to ensure a smooth start.