Some 30 passengers became a part of history on Wednesday morning, as they enjoyed the first public shuttle bus that crossed the world's longest sea-crossing bridge - the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Driving off 15 minutes after the bridge officially opened to traffic at 9 am, the bus traveled from the bridge's Hong Kong Port to Zhuhai Port. In contrast to the overcast sky of Hong Kong in the morning, the bus was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Passengers on board were busy taking selfies, endlessly chatting and staring out of the windows - as they expressed their enthusiasm for the 55-kilometer-long mega bridge which links the western and eastern banks of the Pearl River Estuary.

Among them was Mark Clayton from Britain. The 34-year-old has lived in Zhuhai for 13 years and now works as the chief financial officer for a British manufacturing company in the city. He eagerly took the first shuttle bus after wrapping up a business trip in Hong Kong.

He said he was thrilled to make the historic journey and that the bridge was awesome. "It symbolizes the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and demonstrates that China is a strong country."

The bridge even came to the attention of Clayton's mother in Britain. Clayton said his mother called him last night telling him she saw a story about the bridge on British television; she said the city her son lives is now famous.

Another passenger on board, a 73-year-old Hong Kong citizen surnamed Chan, rose at 6 am to ensure he could get the first ride. "I was a bit tired but I felt it was all worth it when I saw the stunning views of the bridge," he said.

The bus arrived in Zhuhai Port at 9:55 am - shaving nearly three hours off the time it used to take drivers before the bridge opened. Passengers then got off the bus one by one and took more selfies before passing through the Zhuhai immigration check point.

Anthony Torr from Australia said he was impressed by the whole journey, particularly the efficient service at the Hong Kong clearance point. It took him less than 20 seconds to finish all immigration procedures on the Hong Kong side.

With the opening of the bridge to the public, passengers can now ride on a shuttle bus, a cross-boundary coach or a cross-boundary hire car between Hong Kong and Macao, or Hong Kong and Zhuhai via the bridge. The shuttle bus provides 24-hour service with a headway of only 10 minutes during peak periods.

miriam@chinadailyhk.com

Hong Kong passengers take photos as they arrive at the Zhuhai Port through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, commemorating the historic day as the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge went into operation on Wednesday morning. Roy Liu / China Daily

(HK Edition 10/25/2018 page4)