New Huanggang Port Set to Open; Iconic Cross-Border Shuttle Bus Faces Final Stop After 27 Years
AM730 · 5 SOURCES9 minutes ago2 MIN
Summary
The New Huanggang Port is set to open, potentially ending the iconic Cross-Border Shuttle Bus service that has operated between Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang for nearly 30 years. The operator confirmed on September 27 that it is awaiting government instructions on the service's final arrangements, while expressing concerns about handling tour groups at the new port. Long-serving staff members have recounted memorable experiences during typhoons and expressed deep reluctance to see the service end.
Key Points
- The Cross-Border Shuttle Bus began operations in March 1997 with just 10 buses and an open-air station, expanding to 30 vehicles at its peak
- During 2003 to 2006, the service handled over 49,000 passengers daily, with annual ridership reaching 18 million at its peak
- Bus captain Ngan Siu-mou, who joined in 2000, recalls ferrying an injured passenger with severe head bleeding to the border checkpoint where Hong Kong ambulance personnel took over
- Customer service officer Cheung Hiu-wah spent 36 hours stranded with passengers during Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, sharing all supplies from the staff refrigerator
- The operator currently employs 44 staff and operates 30 buses, with the company seeking redeployment opportunities for willing employees within its non-franchised bus operations
Why It Matters
The potential closure of the Cross-Border Shuttle Bus marks the end of a transportation era that facilitated millions of cross-border journeys during Hong Kong's deepening integration with the Mainland. As the new Huanggang Port will not accommodate tour bus drop-off points, the Fanling area will remain the primary hub for group travelers, raising questions about whether franchised buses alone can handle the anticipated passenger volumes .
The potential closure of the Cross-Border Shuttle Bus marks the end of a transportation era that facilitated millions of cross-border journeys during Hong Kong's deepening integration with the Mainland. As the new Huanggang Port will not accommodate tour bus drop-off points, the Fanling area will remain the primary hub for group travelers, raising questions about whether franchised buses alone can handle the anticipated passenger volumes .