HK transport minister denies HZMB October opening

Tuesday 16th of October 2018

Hong Kong’s transport minister has denied rumors that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge would open towards the end of October, SCMP reports.

Speaking in a radio programme on Saturday, Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said the three cities were still waiting for notification from the central government over the bridge’s opening.

“[On the] Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge [opening] by the end of this month, I must say this is news to me. Personally, I don’t have any idea when the bridge is going to open,” said Chan.

In earlier reports, it was believed that the HZMB would open in the third quarter of this year.

In June, Macau gaming operators said they are planning to launch a joint shuttle bus service which will transport customers along the 43-kilometer long bridge.

SJM vice-chairman and CEO Ambrose So said the service will run from the bridge’s checkpoint building to the ferry terminal and other locations with the goal of easing traffic congestion on the bridge.

“We are going to launch a joint venture together to run the shuttle buses with our main goal diverting people to the ferry terminal to ease the traffic pressure of the mega bridge,”said Dr. So.

“Traffic congestion is set to exacerbate if shuttle buses are to be sent by every single gaming firm after the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The six major gaming license holders are highly concerned about this and have given the government some suggestions to solve this problem,” he added.