The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong governments will aim to announce details of the Quota-free Scheme for Hong Kong Private Cars Travelling to Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) in the first quarter this year, Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung said today.

In response to questions from lawmaker Yim Kong in the Legislative Council, Mr Lam said both governments have been working on the detailed implementation arrangements of the scheme in accordance with the approval of the State Council, and would strive to implement the scheme within this year, subject to factors such as the anti-epidemic requirements of Guangdong and Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to discuss with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the relevant Mainland authorities and strive for streamlining the application procedures and lowering the handling fees of the Scheme as far as possible for the benefit and convenience of the public.

Mr Lam noted that the Hong Kong SAR Government has relayed to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority, which is responsible for determining the toll levels of HZMB, the suggestion on monthly payment of tolls by cross-boundary vehicles.

For Gold Buses that currently provide port shuttle bus services via the bridge, while no monthly pass schemes are offered to passengers, the Transport Department will actively liaise with the operator to explore the feasibility of introducing more concessionary arrangements.

Moreover, the Hong Kong SAR Government is preparing to implement the unilateral recognition policy for cross-boundary motor insurance so that the coverage of third-party insurance policies issued by Hong Kong insurers for Hong Kong private cars that enter Guangdong via the bridge may be extended to cover third-party liability on the Mainland, sparing car owners from having to purchase separate policies for Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Currently, more than 10 Hong Kong insurers are ready to offer such products.