Shenzhen unveiled 18 detailed measures yesterday to facilitate cross-border travel, improve efficiency and build a better passenger experience at its land checkpoints as passenger flows between the city and Hong Kong have notably increased since the full resumption of cross-border travel early this year.

The city will place heightened importance on maintaining public toilet cleanliness at the checkpoints and joining hands with the Hong Kong SAR Government to rectify unauthorized operations of cross-border coaches and regularize the crackdown on illegal taxis around the checkpoints, according to the measures released by Shenzhen’s office of port of entry and exit.

Shenzhen travel brochures will be handed out to passengers while guidebooks on customs clearance procedures and transportation in the surrounding areas will also be available at the checkpoints.

Convenient services such as free consultation, power banks, drinking water, luggage trolleys, wheelchairs for people with disabilities and emergency medical kits will be provided.

Liantang Checkpoint will pilot a lost-and-found office and elevators at the checkpoint will be improved for the convenience of cyclists, passengers with mobility issues and wheelchair users.

An express lane will be set up for cross-border shuttle coaches at Huanggang Checkpoint to reduce passengers’ waiting time. Opening hours of Gate No. 15 of Futian Checkpoint, which were from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be extended to 8 p.m.

Chinese and English signs at Luohu, Futian, Shenzhen Bay and Liantang checkpoints will be combed and unified, while signs for transportation guidance, restrooms, parking lots and currency exchange will be erected.

The city will also enhance mobile signal coverage around the checkpoints and ensure speedy and stable free Wi-Fi service at border-crossing channels by having more 5G base stations.

Temporary financial service points will be set up at the checkpoints to assist Hong Kong travelers to use WeChat Pay, Alipay and China Union Pay Quick Pass.

The checkpoints will set up charging poles for new energy vehicles and provide parking services for Hong Kong and Macao vehicles without Guangdong registration plates.

Temporary shelters will be provided for cross-border truck drivers to escape the heat, where drinking water and instant food will be available.