The Transport Department will accept applications from autonomous vehicle (AV) operators for commercial operation of individual projects within this year.

Commissioner for Transport Winnie Tse announced the move today while chairing the third meeting of the Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group.

Miss Tse said that the First Five-Year Plan for Economic & Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Policy Address have established a clear direction for AV development in the city.

Following driverless AV trials on Airport Island in late July and at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port automated carpark in mid-September 2026, the department will begin accepting operator applications. It will also advance the Airportcity Link autonomous transport system connecting the HZMB Hong Kong Port and SKYCITY.

During the meeting, members received a joint briefing from the MTR Corporation and the Airport Authority on the "Air-Rail Intermodal Service". This AV link will connect the Express Rail Link at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station with the Airport Express at Kowloon Station. 

The project is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2027 to streamline transfers for airline and railway passengers.

Miss Tse added that AV application scenarios are diversifying, with multi-model transport connections and cross-district trials progressing on schedule.