This undated photo shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. (WANG JIAXIN / FOR CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The Transport Department (TD) announced Thursday that the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions have agreed to increase the regular quotas for Hong Kong non-commercial private cars using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to Macao.

In a statement issued on Thursday morning, the TD said the decision was taken to enhance traffic flow between Hong Kong and Macao and to better utilize the HZMB.

The Transportation Department said it  will increase the Hong Kong quotas by 1,000  on top of the original 800 allocated since the commissioning of the HZMB 

The TD said it will increase the Hong Kong quotas by 1,000 on top of the 800 allocated since the commissioning of the HZMB.

"The additional quota will be distributed in the first quarter of 2021 and the quota holders are expected to be able to travel on HZMB starting from the second quarter of 2021", a TD spokesman was quoted as saying in the statement.

Half of the additional 1,000 quota allocations are for company applicants and half are for individual applicants, the TD said. 

Like the existing Hong Kong quotas, the additional quota allocations are valid for three years and the eligibility criteria remain the same, it added.

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The TD said the company quota is open to companies registered in both Hong Kong and Macao, or companies registered in Hong Kong and associated with another company registered in Macao. 

The quota for individuals is open to Hong Kong permanent residents employed in Macao or who have established a registered company in Macao, the TD said.

Private cars allocated under the Hong Kong quotas will be permitted to access Macao multiple times via the HZMB, it said.

The Hong Kong quota allotments will be re-allocated upon expiry through open application so that more people will benefit, it added.

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Eligible car owners may apply in person or by agent through drop-in box, via Internet or by post from December 21 until 5:15pm on January 11, 2021. 

On the other hand, the quotas for Macao non-commercial private cars using the HZMB will also be increased. The additional Macao quota allotments are valid for three years and allocated by the Macao SAR government.