The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government conducted its first large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area today to prepare for the port’s upcoming official opening.
The exercise mobilised approximately 1,000 civil servants from over 20 departments. It successfully tested the overall management of passenger and vehicular flows at both the port building and the public transport interchange (PTI).
During the drill, participants took various modes of public transport, including franchised buses, short-haul cross-boundary coaches, green minibuses and taxis, to reach the PTI on the second floor of the port building. They then proceeded through the fifth-floor departure hall and the fourth-floor arrival hall before returning to the PTI to leave the port.
Participants and operator-dispatched vehicles conducted cyclical trials involving more than 120 departures to simulate realistic arrival and departure conditions. The trials operations specifically assessed passenger and vehicular flow management, passageway capacity, on-site guidance, traffic control and various supporting facilities.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan inspected the drill on-site.
Mr Tang noted that the entire drill flowed smoothly and achieved its expected testing objectives through close interdepartmental co-operation. He added that identified areas for improvement will be addressed in subsequent exercises, with larger drills planned for the future to ensure comprehensive preparation for the port’s opening.
Ms Chan stated that this initial drill primarily tested local and cross-boundary public transport services alongside their ancillary arrangements. She highlighted that passengers boarding, alighting, queuing and traffic management all operated smoothly, delivering a positive passenger experience.
The Transport & Logistics Bureau and the Transport Department will continue to refine these arrangements based on user needs.
A wide range of bureaus, departments and public transport operators took part in the exercise. Participants included the Security Bureau, the Transport & Logistics Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Transport Department, the Highways Department, the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department, the Department of Health and the Fire Services Department.
Also participating were the Architectural Services Department, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, the Government Property Agency, the Digital Policy Office, the Office of the Communications Authority, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, the Civil Aid Service and the Auxiliary Medical Service.
Meanwhile, the Transport Department confirmed it will continue conducting road and facility testing with operators. Ongoing tasks include evaluating transit routes and facilities, training bus drivers and testing traffic diversions – all of which have progressed smoothly.
The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to run drills of various scales to assess the capacity of the Huanggang Port and its surrounding infrastructure. It remains in close liaison with Shenzhen authorities to press ahead with preparatory tasks, and the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong will announce the official opening date once the port is fully ready for safe and smooth operation.