The Shenzhen Bay Port Public Transport Interchange (深圳灣口岸公共運輸交匯處) is located within the Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area (港方口岸區) in the Shenzhen Bay Community of Shekou Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen City (深圳市南山区蛇口街道深圳湾社区). It has a bus terminus, a green minibus terminus, a pick-up and drop-off area for cross-boundary coaches and a taxi stand. It is the fourth land boundary crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen[2].
The Shenzhen Bay Port is divided into two main parts, with the northern part of the terminal building and the adjoining station under the control of the Shenzhen Municipality, Mainland China, and the southern part of the terminal building and the adjoining public transport interchange (PTI), which is a Hong Kong Port Area, not on lands of Hong Kong but within the territory of Hong Kong. The Shenzhen Bay Port PTI is the only stop under Hong Kong's jurisdiction that is not located on Hong Kong lands and is the only franchised bus and green minibus station located outside Hong Kong lands. Geographically, it is the northernmost bus terminus of New Lantao Bus (NLB) in Hong Kong.
According to the Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance, the entire Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area is within the Frontier Closed Area. All cross-boundary travellers between Hong Kong and China via the Shenzhen Bay Port Control Area are required to be in possession of valid travel documents. Non cross-boundary travellers are not allowed to enter this stop unless they are in possession of a valid Frontier Closed Area Permit or a valid travel document.
History[]
To relieve the congestion at the Lo Wu Control Point and to cope with the increasing cross-boundary passenger demands, the Hong Kong Government has not only implemented the construction of the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, but has also been actively studying the construction of a "Hong Kong - Shenzhen Western Corridor" across Deep Bay and connecting Ngau Hom Shek in Yuen Long with Shekou in Shenzhen since 2001 with a new Boundary Control Point (BCP) to cope with the increasing cross-boundary vehicular traffic.[3]
The Governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen finally settled on the construction of the first co-located boundary crossing point in Nanshan, Shenzhen to provide co-location of immigration and customs services for passengers and vehicles. Construction of the new control point commenced in August 2003 and is expected to be completed in July 2006. The two governments have agreed that the new boundary crossing facility will be named "Shenzhen Bay Port".[4]
First "co-location" land boundary crossing between Hong Kong and Mainland China[]
The Shenzhen Bay Port, located in the newly reclaimed area at Dongjiaotou, Shekou, is the only land BCP between Hong Kong and China that implements "co-location of immigration and customs facilities" (一地兩檢) [Remark 1], i.e. passengers are cleared at the same control point building and Hong Kong law enforcement officers enforce the laws of Hong Kong in the specific area of the SBP within the Shenzhen boundary.
On 31 October 2006, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) approved the authorisation of the HKSAR Government to implement the fully enclosed management of the Shenzhen Bay Port and enforce the laws of Hong Kong; on 30 December 2006, the State Council approved the scope and land use period of the Hong Kong side of the Shenzhen Bay Port. The land is owned by the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the land use right is acquired by way of lease. The HKSAR Government is required to pay an annual rent of about RMB 6 million yuan per annum for the first five years and the land use period is from the commissioning of the Port to 30 June 2047.
The Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance was passed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council in 2007 as the necessary local legislation for the co-location of immigration and customs facilities. The legislation contains detailed coordinates indicating the boundaries of the Hong Kong Port Area, including the inspection area within the Shenzhen Bay Control Point building and the bridge portion of the Shenzhen Bay Bridge.
24-hour Goods Clearance[]
Starting from 00:00 on 11 December 2020, 24-hour cargo clearance service will be provided at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point to gradually implement the "East in East out, West in West out" (東進東出、西進西出) layout for cross-boundary cargo vehicles. In addition, the Hong Kong and Mainland governments will consider the timing of implementing 24-hour passenger clearance service at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, depending on the development of the COVID-19 pandemic in both places. A spokesman for the HKSAR Government pointed out that the Chief Executive announced in last year's Policy Address that the authorities planned to extend the clearance hours at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point to 24 hours by phases within this year. [5]
Public Transportation Services[]
The Shenzhen Bay Port is designed to cater mainly for goods vehicles and cross-boundary coaches. Having considered the views of Legislative Council Members, the Government has constructed an 8,000 square metre public transport interchange at the Hong Kong Port Area to allow other modes of public transport to provide services. Passengers can take cross-boundary buses and other public transport modes to cross the border via the Shenzhen section of the Shenzhen Bay Bridge. Passengers travelling in Hong Kong by other public transport modes to the Hong Kong side of the control point will be required to transfer to the Shenzhen side of the feeder public transport after passing immigration and customs clearance.
In this regard, the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities have agreed to provide complementary public transport services at their respective control points in a mode, number of routes, service hours, frequency and capacity similar to those of the other side[6]. Specifically, the Transport Department plans to operate one franchised bus route to Yuen Long (East), one franchised bus route to Tuen Mun and one green minibus route to Tin Shui Wai, while the Shenzhen side will provide three bus routes to its control point with a frequency of about every 15 minutes.
The public transport interchange at the Hong Kong side of the control point provides a sawtooth bus terminus, which is shared with the GMB terminus, with seven loading and unloading bays and a central parking area[7]. On 1 July 2007, Hu Jintao, the then President of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Shenzhen Bay Port, which was also opened at 18:00 on the same day[7][8][9]. During the initial opening period of the PTI, only franchised bus routes B2, B3 and its express route B3X, as well as the New Territories GMB Route 618, would provide services.
In accordance with the approval of the State Council on the opening of the Shenzhen Bay Port (SBP) to the outside world, the SBP should be open for customs clearance 24 hours a day. As a result of the passenger and vehicular traffic flow, the opening hours of the Port are tentatively set at 06:30-24:00 for a total of 17.5 hours per day as agreed between Shenzhen and Hong Kong[10]. The number of passengers using the SBP has been increasing year by year, and there are now seven franchised bus routes and one green minibus route that terminate at the Port.
Cross-Boundary Coaches[]
The first direct cross-boundary bus service from the urban area to the Mainland, the "Shenzhen Bay Cross-border Express" operated by Eternal East Bus, which commenced service on 20 July 2007 and ran between Sai Wan Ho (Grand Promenade) and Shenzhen Bay Port. The journey time is 80 minutes and the fare is $45[11].
In March 2008, the governments of Guangdong Province and HKSAR issued 100 cross-boundary bus quotas at Shenzhen Bay Port for cross-boundary coach operators to provide cross-boundary bus services between Hong Kong and the Mainland via the Port. To cater for the learning needs and safety of cross-boundary students, cross-boundary school bus services between the Mainland and the schools in Tuen Mun via the SBP have been provided by cross-boundary bus operators at the same time.
The Hong Kong side of the terminal has a loading area for cross-boundary coaches, providing 43 berths, all of which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. 28 of these berths (Nos. 16-43), which are close to the entry gate of the control point, have been occupied by through coaches as "private stops" for a long time, and other non-cross boundary coaches such as cross-boundary school buses and tour groups are unable to use them. The PTI at the Hong Kong side of the control point provides a sawtooth bus terminus, which is shared with the GMB terminus, with seven loading/unloading bays and a central parking area for vehicles[12].
In accordance with the State Council's approval of the opening of the SBP to the public, 24-hour clearance should be implemented at the SBP. As a result of the passenger and vehicular traffic flow, the opening hours of the SBP are tentatively set at 06:30-24:00 for a total of 17.5 hours per day as agreed between Shenzhen and Hong Kong[11]. The number of passengers using the Port has been increasing year by year and there are now seven franchised bus routes and one green minibus route terminating at the Port.
Route Information[]
Franchised Buses[]
| List of Franchised Bus Routes terminating at Shenzhen Bay Port | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Route No. | Origin | Destination | Service Type |
| NLB | B2 | Shenzhen Bay Port | Yuen Long Station | Service daily ● |
| NLB | B2P | Shenzhen Bay Port | Tin Shui Wai (Tin Tsz Estate) | Service daily ● |
| NLB | B2X | Shenzhen Bay Port | Tin Shui Wai (Tin Yiu Estate) | Service Saturdays and holidays whole-day ● |
| Citybus | B3 | Shenzhen Bay Port | Tuen Mun Ferry Pier | Service daily ● |
| Citybus | B3A | Shenzhen Bay Port | Shan King Estate | Service daily ● |
| Citybus | B3A Special Trips |
Shenzhen Bay Port | Fu Tai Estate (One-way) |
Service during AM peak hours on school days ● |
| Citybus | B3M | Shenzhen Bay Port | Tuen Mun Station (Circular) |
Service daily during daytime after Morning Peak Hours ● |
| Citybus | B3X | Shenzhen Bay Port | Tuen Mun Town Centre | Service daily after Morning Peak Hours ● |
Green Minibuses (GMBs)[]
| List of Green Minibus (GMB) Routes terminating at Shenzhen Bay Port | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Route No. | Origin | Destination | Service Type |
| Yield Team | 618 | Shenzhen Bay Port | Tin Yan Estate | Service daily ● |
Cross-Boundary Coaches[]
| List of Cross-boundary Bus Routes terminating at Shenzhen Bay Port | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Route No. | Origin | Destination | Service Type |
| Trans-Island Limousine Service | Kowloon Route | Shenzhen Bay Port | Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui | Tickets need to be purchased before clearance |
| Trans-Island Limousine Service | Hong Kong Island Route | Shenzhen Bay Port | Sheung Wan, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay | Tickets need to be purchased before clearance |
| Eternal East Bus | Ocean Park Route | Shenzhen Bay Port | Ocean Park | Tickets need to be purchased before clearance |
| Eternal East Bus | Shenzhen Bay Express | Shenzhen Bay Port | Yau Ma Tei (Pitt Street), Diamond Hill, Kwun Tong | Tickets need to be purchased before clearance |
| China Link | East Kowloon Express | Shenzhen Bay Port | Yau Tong, Ngau Tau Kok, Kwun Tong, Kin Ming Estate | Daily Service |
Stop Layout[]
| Circular bus terminus layout (from the stop nearest the exit) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Direction | Route | Stop Pole No. |
| 1 | Eastside | Citybus Alighting Stop | 3208C |
| 2 | Eastside | NLB Alighting Stop | |
| 3 | Eastside | B2P, B2X | 152 |
| 4 | Northside | B2 | |
| 5 | Westside | B3, B3M, B3X | 3208A |
| 6 | Westside | B3A | 3208B |
| 7 | Westside | GMB 618 | |
Gallery[]
Remarks[]
- ↑ HSR West Kowloon Station is a railway control point despite the implementation of the co-location of immigration and customs facilities.
Related Articles[]
- Shenzhen West Express
- Shenzhen Bay Bridge
- Kong Sham Western Highway
Notes and References[]
- ↑ Bulletin No. 4164: "Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374) - Closed Area at Shenzhen Bay Port (Hong Kong Port Area) Public Transport Interchange", Gazette of The Government of the HKSAR, Vol. 11, No. 26, 29 June 2007.
- ↑ The first three land BCPs are Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Lok Ma Chau.
- ↑ LCQ1: Immigration counters at Lo Wu Control Point, 28 February 2001. (Chinese)
- ↑ majorprojects Management and Development, Customs and Excise Department Annual Report 2003-2004
- ↑ Shenzhen Bay Port to offer 24-hour cargo clearance from Thursday, may implement 24/7 passenger clearance in the future, HK01, 7 December 2020. (Chinese)
- ↑ Legislative Council: Concluding remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing in response to the motion on "Optimizing the utilization of Shenzhen Western Corridor" proposed by the Legislative Council Members, 30 January 2008
- ↑ State President officiates at opening ceremony of Shenzhen Bay Port and Highway Bridge, Hong Kong Government Press Release, 1 July 2007.
- ↑ Transcript of the Chief Executive's speech at the opening ceremony of the Shenzhen Bay Port, Hong Kong Government Press Release, 1 July 2007.
- ↑ New channels, better connections, Hong Kong Government Press Release, 25 June 2007
- ↑ Ta Kung Pao: Lack of demand from Hong Kong side; Shenzhen Bay temporarily postpones 24-hour border crossing, 6 May 2016
- ↑ Western Corridor's First Express Line Opens, Apple Daily, 21 July 2007. (Chinese)
- ↑ Cross-border Coach Station being occupied for Private Use, Oriental Daily News, 10 March 2013. (Chinese)
External Links[]
- Citybus website: Photo of the bus stop 3208 (Note: The site view may not be updated)
- Official Transport Department website: Going to Shenzhen Bay Port
- Department of Health Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO): Designated No Smoking Area - Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area Public Transport Interchange
- GoByBus.hk - Go巴出行：過境巴士售票 (Chinese)
| Hong Kong Land Control Points | |
|---|---|
| Kowloon | Hung Hom Control Point (corresponding to the Beijing West Railway Port, Shanghai Railway Port, Guangzhou Tianhe Railway Passenger Port and Dongguan Railway (Passenger) Port on the Chinese side) HSR West Kowloon Station Control Point (Corresponding to the Mainland Port Area at the West Kowloon Station on the Chinese side) |
| New Territories East | Sha Tau Kok Control Point (corresponding to Shatoujiao Port of Entry on the Chinese side) Man Kam To Control Point (corresponding to Wenjindu Port of Entry on the Chinese side) Lo Wu Control Point (corresponding to Luohu Port of Entry on the Chinese side) Heung Yuen Wai Control Point (corresponding to Liantang Port on the Chinese side) |
| New Territories West | Lok Ma Chau Control Point (corresponding to Huanggang Port of Entry on the Chinese side) Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point (corresponding to Futian Port of Entry on the Chinese side) Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point (Corresponding to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Macao Frontier Post Building and the Zhuhai Port on the Chinese side) (HZMB Hong Kong Port Passenger Clearance Building, HZMB Hong Kong Port Public Transport Interchange) Hong Kong International Airport SkyPier Terminal(Direct access to the restricted area of the airport without immigration clearance in Hong Kong, corresponding to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Macao Frontier Post Building and the Zhuhai Port on the Chinese side) |
| Shenzhen City | Shenzhen Bay Control Point (corresponding to Shenzhen Bay Port) |