Latest updates on passenger traffic at Huanggang Port
The Security Bureau (SB) today (October 18) said that outbound passenger flow at the Huanggang Port had increased significantly since around 11am this morning. Around 19 000 passengers departed for the Mainland via the Huanggang Port between 12 noon and 2pm, representing an increase of 835 per cent (over eight times) compared with the same period in the past at the Huanggang Port/Lok Ma Chau Control Point. During the peak hour between 1pm and 2pm, as many as 9 728 outbound passenger trips were recorded within one hour, representing an increase of 899 per cent (nearly nine times) compared with the same period in the past at the Huanggang Port/Lok Ma Chau Control Point.
In view of this, the Immigration Department (ImmD) immediately opened all clearance channels and counters at the departure hall on L5 to expedite passenger flow, and implemented crowd diversion and control measures on L2 and L5 in collaboration with the Police. For passengers entering the Huanggang Port during the peak hours mentioned above, the waiting time for crowd diversion arrangements on L2 was about 30 to 45 minutes, while the waiting time inside the departure hall on L5 was maintained within 30 minutes.
The ImmD has disseminated the latest waiting time information via the "Easy Boundary" platform, and advised members of the public and travellers to plan their journeys in advance and consider using other boundary control points for departure.
The outbound peak gradually subsided from around 2pm today. Crowd diversion and control measures on L2 were lifted at 2.10pm, and the waiting time at the departure hall on L5 had dropped to under 15 minutes by 2.40pm.
In fact, relevant departments had already assessed the potential surge in passenger flow during peak hours and formulated plans for diversion, queue management and inter-departmental co-ordination during an earlier large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port involving around 20 000 participants. Faced with this sudden surge in passengers, the various contingency plans were activated promptly and overall operations remained generally smooth.
The SB will continue to work with the ImmD, the Police and other relevant departments to closely monitor the situation at the port and passenger flow. Timely reviews will be conducted and corresponding contingency measures will be adopted in light of actual circumstances to ensure the smooth operation of clearance arrangements and public services.
The Security Bureau said today (October 18) that northbound passenger traffic at the Huanggang Port increased significantly from about 11am, with the departure peak gradually subsiding from about 2pm. Photo shows the situation on L2 of the Huanggang Port after about 2pm today. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau said today (October 18) that northbound passenger traffic at the Huanggang Port increased significantly from about 11am, with the departure peak gradually subsiding from about 2pm. Photo shows the situation at the passenger departure hall on L5 of the Huanggang Port after about 2pm today. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Departments enhance measures to cope with inbound passenger traffic peak at Huanggang Port
The Security Bureau (SB) said today (October 19) that southbound passenger flow at the Huanggang Port began to build up from 2pm. Between 2pm and 4pm, about 9 401 passengers arrived in Hong Kong via the Huanggang Port, representing an increase of 366 per cent (more than 3.5 times) compared with the same period previously at the Huanggang Port/Lok Ma Chau Control Point. Southbound passenger traffic is expected to increase further later today.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) has disseminated the latest waiting time information via the SB's"Easy Boundary" platform. Before travelling, passengers may check the latest immigration information of various boundary control points, including the Huanggang Port, on the "Easy Boundary" platform. Earlier today, the ImmD also released a short video on social media urging eligible members of the public who plan to cross the boundary at the Huanggang Port to enrol in advance for the "collaborative inspection" automated channels and avoid making their journeys during peak periods, so as to facilitate trip planning and preparation for clearance.
All clearance channels at the arrival hall on L4 of the Huanggang Port have been opened. To further expedite passenger flow, the ImmD will implement crowd diversion and control measures on L4 and L2 in collaboration with the Police depending on actual passenger flow. If passenger flow continues to increase, the Police will make necessary arrangements for passengers who have completed immigration clearance to wait for public transport in designated queuing areas in a safe and orderly manner. Members of the public may have to wait briefly in the queuing areas before boarding public transport to leave the port.
To cope with today's inbound peak, the Transport Department (TD) has arranged about 120 franchised buses, 40 green minibuses and 130 cross-boundary coaches for service and standby support. During peak hours, the service of franchised buses can be enhanced to every two to three minutes, while the frequency of green minibuses and cross-boundary coaches can be increased to every three to four minutes. Franchised bus operators have also operated individual special short-haul services to expedite the dispersal of inbound passengers and speed up bus turnaround. Meanwhile, service ambassadors and staff of public transport operators station at the L2 hall and the public transport interchange to assist passengers in choosing suitable transport modes according to their destinations and boarding in an orderly manner. Police officers have also been deployed on-site to help maintain order.
The SB will continue to work with the ImmD, the Police, the TD and other relevant departments to monitor the situation at the port and the passenger flow in real time, flexibly deploy manpower and adopt corresponding contingency measures as necessary to ensure the smooth operation of various clearance arrangements and public transport services. The SB appeals to members of the public to plan their journeys in advance, choose suitable boundary control points and avoid making their journeys during peak periods.
Source: AI-found images
