Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge: World's longest sea-based structure opens to public

World
Europe

03:20

Now we head to southern China, where our reporter Jack Barton was one of the first people to traverse the world's longest sea-crossing bridge on Wednesday morning. He spoke to some of his fellow passengers for their thoughts on the multi-billion dollar structure.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge has just been officially opened to traffic and Macao shuttle bus manager Guan Dehui says all is so far going well.

GUAN DEHUI, MACAO OPERATIONS DIRECTOR HONG KONG-MACAO EXPRESS SERVICE "The Hong Kong Macao express has already dispatched four buses and its operation is smooth."

JACK BARTON MACAO PORT "For the time being most of the people using the service will be foot passengers like myself today travelling on private shuttle buses like this one, as it will take some time to figure out the quota system that will allow the number of vehicles, a very limited number at first, from Zhuhai, Macao and Hong Kong to travel on the world's longest sea-bridge."

The handful of passengers riding on my bus are mostly here to mark the inauguration, most making their first trip across the Pearl River Delta.

QIU QIANG PASSENGER FROM GUANGZHOU "I just got the message, this is the first day that the bridge opens to the public. I feel lucky to witness this and it is my first time to go to Hong Kong."

ZHANG YANYAN PASSENGER FROM SHENYANG "Yesterday, I heard the announcement on TV that the bridge is opening today. And this is my first time to go to Hong Kong and Macao. So many first times that I can't wait to experience the bridge."

ZHENG HUANXIN PASSENGER FROM SHENYANG "I am very excited, just excited."

Others are commuting using the bus for the first time.

MR. KUN PASSENGER FROM MACAO "This bus is more comfortable than the ferry."

We're overtaken by a vehicle making the 30-minute journey to Hong Kong, which used to be an almost four-hour drive around the Greater Bay area.

JACK BARTON HONG KONG "We've just entered the tunnel that connects two artificial islands and this allows shipping to pass unhindered through the Pearl River Delta."

On the other side we see a sight that is a game changer for Macao.

JACK BARTON HONG KONG "It took us a little over twenty minutes to reach Hong Kong international airport and that's incredibly important for Macao. Because it only has a regional airport, but now it means visitors from as far away as Paris or Sydney can now reach Macao which is dependent on tourism."

The crossing is fairly fast. Customs can often be the hold-up though even here things seem off to a good start.

JACK BARTON HONG KONG "Hong Kong immigration was pretty fast, but now it's time to get back on the bus and head into the city."

It takes about an hour and 45 minutes to reach the heart of Hong Kong, where people are lining up for the return journey. This time the bus is full.

JACK BARTON HONG KONG "So now we really are in downtown Hong Kong and in reality it did take a bit longer than the ferry ride. But the good news is the shuttle service can run all year round, it's not weather dependent, and there wasn't a single passenger on board who was seasick, including myself, and that's a good news. Jack Barton, for CGTN, in Hong Kong."