Two Hong Kong companies that will operate cross-border buses across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) conducted trial runs on Sept 28 as the mega sea-crossing facility prepares to open.

Two buses took 10 operators each from the Hong Kong Guangdong Boundary Crossing Bus Association. As passengers, they experienced customs clearance procedures. The purpose was to test the readiness of the cross-boundary facilities in the three cities.

The exercise last three days and was arranged by the governments of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao SARs, according to the Hong Kong SAR's Transport & Housing Bureau.  

Chinese-knot-shaped bridge tower on the Qingzhou Channel Overpass

The buses started at noon from the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities and cruised to Zhuhai in about 40 minutes, covering 55 km (34.2 miles).

The journey on the various engineered islands, through the subsea tunnel, and over the main bridge was smooth, according to a participant from Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings' subsidiary company. Collaboration by the Zhuhai and Macao checkpoints requires only one inspection and check, significantly reducing time for clearance, he added.

The HZMB spans the Lingding Sea of the Pearl River Estuary and is the longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing in the world.

HZMB shuttle buses

Artery toll station near Zhuhai and Macao [Photos courtesy Wechat account (neighbor_zh)]