Southbound scheme gets top marks from first drivers

Drivers in the first batch of Guangdong vehicles entering the SAR under the Southbound Travel Scheme have offered high praise for the opening-up and its implementation following its kick-off at midnight on Tuesday. The first batch arrived via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge at around 12:50am. Peng from Zhuhai was the first. He said the process was very smooth. "I usually take coaches to get to Hong Kong," he said. "Driving by myself is more convenient and I get to enjoy the view." Peng added that his plan was to enjoy the festive atmosphere of Christmas as well as handle work-related matters during his stay. While Hong Kong uses the left-hand traffic and the mainland the right-hand system, another driver told RTHK that the difference won't be an issue as he had practised many times before coming to the SAR. James Kong, chairman of the Institute of Advanced Motorists Hong Kong, suggested local motorists keep their distance from Guangdong cars – which can be identified through their SAR licence plates that begin with "FT". A greater distance puts them in good stead to avoid a collision if anything goes wrong, he added. Under the scheme, a maximum of 100 Guangdong vehicles are permitted to enter urban areas in Hong Kong each day, with the length of their stays capped at three days.