6
Capacity at Lok Ma Chau Crossing
14.
Given its current
utilization
rate of 35% of
capacity, Lok Ma Chau will have no problem in accommodating
if the Chinese request is
the additional coach crossings
met.
However,
the quota for coach crossings at
Lok Ma Chau, currently agreed at 100 per day, will probably
need to be reviewed later to cater for this and other
demands that may emerge e.g. following the opening of the
Shenzhen Airport.
Impact on Hong Kong Coach Operators
15.
The entry into the market of Guangdong coach
operators will inevitably have some impact on Hong Kong
coach operators. Nevertheless, given the opening up of the
interior of Guangdong and the increasing demand for cross
border coach services arising from the continued economic
cooperation between Hong Kong and China, such impact if
any, is likely to be small and short-lived.
Public Reaction
16.
The public should generally welcome the
introduction of additional cross border coach routes to
serve the interior regions of Guangdong. Hong Kong cross
border coach operators may ask for an increase in the daily
crossing quota for Lok Ma Chau to ensure that there is
enough quota for all to share and to meet the increasing
demand for such services.