Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Thursday the government has already received positive feedback from some stakeholders over its planned launch of a new scheme allowing cars from Guangdong to enter urban areas.

The Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme is expected to take effect from November, under which drivers from Guangdong can leave their vehicles at automated car parks near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge for flight transits and as many as 100 vehicles are given access to urban areas each day.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Chan said the government is pressing ahead with the scheme with caution but that there have been positive responses from local businesses, including the hotel, catering and retail sectors, as well as AsiaWorld-Expo and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

"Businesses can think of service packages of accommodation, exhibition, event, or even some mega event that come with parking privileges," she said.

"We're happy to listen to potential new ideas from everyone.

"And we can distribute and promote relevant materials and information for residents in Guangdong to make this new scheme even better."

Chan also noted that officials from the SAR and Guangdong are in discussions to set up vehicle-inspection centres across the border where mainland drivers can receive information about Hong Kong while their cars are being checked.

She dismissed concerns that the scheme might lead to more traffic accidents, noting that the accident rate involving left-hand drive vehicles in the city was at 0.2 percent in the first half of 2024, compared with 1.67 percent for right-hand drive vehicles in the urban areas.