While overall border traffic set records, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) became a flash-point on Christmas Day as 644,000 outbound trips created wait times of up to 90 minutes for the “Gold Bus” shuttle. South China Morning Post reporters documented taxi queues spilling onto the access road, and police issued congestion alerts for HZMB, Shenzhen Bay and Lo Wu.
The gridlock highlights infrastructure bottlenecks as residents capitalise on cheaper hotel rates and expanded multiple-entry permits to spend the holidays across the boundary. Travel-tech firms noted a 160 percent spike in same-day bookings for Zhuhai casinos and Macau shows once queues eased after midnight.
For corporates moving employees or equipment along the Greater Bay logistics corridor, the lesson is clear: build in contingency routings via Heung Yuen Wai or Huanggang and budget for surge-pricing on ride-hailing platforms. Employers should also monitor visa validity—an overstay triggered by missed shuttles can incur fines of up to HK$50,000.
![Christmas queues at Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge expose capacity limits]()
If you need help securing the correct visas or permits before braving these peak-season crossings, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers step-by-step applications, real-time tracking and expert support, ensuring travellers and corporates alike avoid costly overstays when traffic snarls strike.
HZMB authorities say they will test a time-slot reservation system and dynamic lane allocation ahead of Lunar New Year. Mobility planners should watch for pilot announcements, as pre-booking could become mandatory for cross-border coaches.
In the medium term, Guangdong’s transport bureau is studying whether to add a second coach staging area on the Zhuhai side and to permit select electric-vehicle fleets to use dedicated freight lanes during holiday peaks.
The gridlock highlights infrastructure bottlenecks as residents capitalise on cheaper hotel rates and expanded multiple-entry permits to spend the holidays across the boundary. Travel-tech firms noted a 160 percent spike in same-day bookings for Zhuhai casinos and Macau shows once queues eased after midnight.
For corporates moving employees or equipment along the Greater Bay logistics corridor, the lesson is clear: build in contingency routings via Heung Yuen Wai or Huanggang and budget for surge-pricing on ride-hailing platforms. Employers should also monitor visa validity—an overstay triggered by missed shuttles can incur fines of up to HK$50,000.
If you need help securing the correct visas or permits before braving these peak-season crossings, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers step-by-step applications, real-time tracking and expert support, ensuring travellers and corporates alike avoid costly overstays when traffic snarls strike.
HZMB authorities say they will test a time-slot reservation system and dynamic lane allocation ahead of Lunar New Year. Mobility planners should watch for pilot announcements, as pre-booking could become mandatory for cross-border coaches.
In the medium term, Guangdong’s transport bureau is studying whether to add a second coach staging area on the Zhuhai side and to permit select electric-vehicle fleets to use dedicated freight lanes during holiday peaks.
