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Jess Ma

Hong Kong authorities will boost cross-border traffic arrangements to improve crowd dispersion after the fireworks on National Day to avoid a repeat of the chaos when thousands of mainland Chinese tourists were stuck in the city following the show on New Year’s Eve last year.
Authorities expected about 330,000 spectators on both sides of Victoria Harbour on October 1.
A temporary bus stop on Wui Man Road, next to the West Kowloon terminus for the high speed rail, will be created for buses going to the Huanggang border crossing from 9pm next Tuesday.
Ho Chun-hin, chief inspector of enforcement and control division of traffic Kowloon West, said on Thursday that visitors who needed to cross the border after watching the fireworks should have plenty of time to do so.


“The biggest difference between this coming fireworks show and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show is that this one ends at 9.30pm,” Ho said.
The last train to Lok Ma Chau station will depart Admiralty at 9.35pm, while the last one to Lo Wu will leave at 11.07pm.
The MTR Corporation said on Monday that trains would run more frequently on the National Day break and the Chung Yeung Festival long weekend later in the month.
“The journey from the Admiralty MTR station to Lo Wu station is around an hour, meaning that visitors who need to return to the mainland after the show will have 1½ hours to reach the nearest MTR station from their viewing point. We believe the time is sufficient,” Ho said.
Thousands of mainland tourists were left stranded at Sheung Shui MTR station to wait for the first cross-border train on New Year’s Day, as the overnight service on the city’s MTR network did not cover the border stops.
Visitors took to mainland social media platform Xiaohongshu to complain about the five hour wait at the border.


City authorities subsequently pledged to hold a high-level cross-departmental meeting ahead of future large-scale events, better coordinate transport arrangements in advance and negotiate with mainland authorities to extend operation hours at checkpoints connected to railway services if possible.
Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Thursday that police, customs, as well as immigration and transport authorities, would boost manpower over the break to ensure smooth travel for visitors.
He added that a cross-departmental command centre would be set up to oversee the situation.
In addition to the traffic arrangements, parts of the city near popular fireworks viewing spots on both sides of the harbour will be closed off.
Tramway Lane outside the Lower Peak Tram Station will be closed from 2pm to 11.59pm on National Day.
Golden Bauhinia Square will be closed at 4pm, and certain roads in Wan Chai will be shut in three phases at 7.30pm, 8.15pm and 8.55pm.

Central will also be subject to road closures from 7.30pm, with two further rounds starting at 8.15pm and 8.55pm.
An entry point on Lung Wo Road and two exit points on the same road and Expo Drive at the Central-Wan Chai Bypass will be closed at 7.30pm. Vehicles reaching the Peak Galleria will have to turn back unless they are entering the car park from the same time as well.
Seven Roads in Eastern district will be shut from 8pm, while another round of closures at the Eastern Corridor will take place at 8.55pm.
In Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom area will see four rounds of closures at 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm and 8.45pm.
Parts of Victoria Harbour will also be closed off to host barges and pontoons for the fireworks and restricted to authorised vessels on Tuesday evening.
Spectator vessels must stay inside specified areas between 7pm and 10pm.
Officers urged residents to take public transport to watch the fireworks show, remain patient and follow the instructions of police officers on-site.
“During the operation, the police will enforce the law strictly on all drivers who violate the rules, including towing vehicles away without prior warning,” said Chiu Chi-keung, chief inspector of enforcement and control division of traffic for Hong Kong Island.


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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to boost cross-border traffic arrangements for National Day celebrations

National Day fireworks last year. This year’s show will end at 9.30pm, which should give visitors enough time to head back over the border. Photo: Sam Tsang

The fireworks display celebrating National Day last year. Photo: SCMP 

Hong Kong’s National Day fireworks to feature panda themes and opening drone show

A depiction from the show’s organiser of its recreation of bamboo groves, in a nod to the city’s growing family of pandas. Photo: Handout

One segment of the show will feature giant smiley faces and hearts. Photo: Handout

What’s on in Hong Kong on National Day? Fireworks, panda-themed deals and free transport

A fireworks display will light up Victoria Harbour at 9pm on October 1. Photo: Sam Tsang

Free rides on Star Ferry vessels will be available between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai, as well as Central. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. About 400 activities will be held to celebrate National Day. Photo: Edmond So

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Authorities seek to avoid repeat of chaos on New Year’s Eve last year when thousands of mainland Chinese were stuck in city after fireworks show


Authorities seek to avoid repeat of chaos on New Year’s Eve last year when thousands of mainland Chinese were stuck in city after fireworks show.
