The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (September 28) chaired the third meeting of the Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group.

     Miss Tse said that the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address have set out a clear direction for autonomous vehicle (AV) development in Hong Kong. Following the commencement of driverless AV trials on Airport Island and at the automated carpark at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port in late July and mid-September 2026 respectively, the Transport Department will start to accept applications from AV operators for the commercial operation of individual projects from 2026 onwards, and proactively advance the Airportcity Link autonomous transport system connecting the HZMB Hong Kong Port and SKYCITY at the airport.

     At the meeting, members were jointly briefed by the MTR Corporation Limited and Airport Authority Hong Kong on the progress of the "Air-Rail Intermodal Service" AV connection between the Express Rail Link at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and the Airport Express at Kowloon Station. The project is expected to begin operation in the second quarter of 2027, providing convenience for the transfer of airline and railway passengers.

     "More different AV application scenarios are coming into play, while projects connecting AVs to different transport modes and cross-district applications are also progressing in an orderly manner. I encourage members to continue offering insights and suggestions, coupled with interdepartmental efforts to step up steering and support. This will actively accelerate the large‑scale development of driverless autonomous driving in our city in an orderly manner and expedite its transition to commercial operations, so that the public may experience more convenient and safer travel through AV," Miss Tse added.

     Members also discussed holding community engagement activities to enhance public understanding of AVs.

Ends/Monday, September 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:25

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