The Transport Department said today that it will implement the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles (STGV) in an orderly manner and various measures are ready to receive Guangdong vehicles entering Hong Kong's urban areas from December 23.

Starting from 0.00am on December 23, approved Guangdong vehicles with confirmed travel bookings may enter Hong Kong's urban areas via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) for up to three days per visit.

The department noted that the application response is positive. It will issue electronic permits and approval letters to the successful applicants accordingly.

It has arranged vehicle inspection centres to install the HKeToll vehicle tags for vehicles during inspection, and applicants are required to set up auto-payment means or top up their HKeToll accounts for toll payments.

Regarding vehicle and road safety, all Guangdong vehicles entering Hong Kong's urban areas are required to undergo and pass a vehicle examination in accordance with Hong Kong requirements at the department's designated vehicle inspection centres on the Mainland. The department has provided training to inspection personnel to ensure consistency in inspection standards.

The department has also released videos on driving in Hong Kong at inspection centres and on social media to introduce Hong Kong's traffic rules, traffic signs and road markings, and points to note while driving.

In addition, HKeMobility launched the STGV dedicated page with new functions today to display, via a map-based interface, carparks with enhanced facilities supporting charging for Mainland electric vehicles and Mainland payment means.

To help ensure road safety and effective diversion, the department has liaised with operators of common navigation apps used by Mainland drivers and noted that they will update their Hong Kong maps with reference to HKeMobility and the transport and traffic data from the Government's Open Data Portal to provide the latest information on parking and charging facilities.

The department will release information on carparks to provide convenience for Guangdong drivers in locating public and private carparks with enhanced supporting facilities across districts.

Furthermore, the department has commissioned an operator to set up the Lantau Charging Station and STGV Information Centre, providing convenient charging services for Guangdong electric vehicles entering the urban areas via the HZMB Hong Kong Port or before returning to Guangdong, along with the latest information on the STGV.