Vehicle reservations to Dapeng resume

A scene at the Yangmeikeng Beach in Dapeng New Area. Daily Sunshine

Shenzhen traffic police will resume reservations for vehicles to Dapeng Peninsula during weekends and holidays between Aug. 1 and Oct. 8, Shenzhen traffic police department announced Monday.

The move is to relieve congestion on roads to eastern tourist attractions with the recovery of tourism and the onset of summer vacation.

The reservation system has been halted since May because of COVID-19.

Police have officially imposed reservations for vehicles to Dapeng between May 1 and Oct. 7 since 2019 by limiting quotas to 40,000 a day during weekends and holidays after several trials in 2018.

In 2017, the visits to eastern tourist attractions reached 10.8 million. Though police had taken previous measures to relieve congestion, the traffic jam extended 21.9 kilometers and lasted for 21.5 hours May 1, 2017.

Since the implementation of the reservation system, the number of vehicles to Meisha area and Dapeng had dropped by 45 percent on average. Time on the road for Shenzhen residents to Dapeng during holidays was shortened from four hours to 75 minutes.

Drivers that go to Dapeng Peninsula without making a reservation will be subject to a fine of 300 yuan (US$48) and receive three penalty points. The rule applies to any passenger vehicle with nine or less seats, including cars hailed via ride-sharing apps.

Visitors can register two weeks in advance via police WeChat ID “szjjwx,” or “深圳交警.” They can choose one of three periods to enter Dapeng: the morning time slot (12:01 a.m. to 12 p.m.), afternoon (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) or night (6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.). If drivers cannot arrive in the areas at the appointed time periods due to traffic congestion or accidents, they can report their delay via the system, which will automatically extend their reservation for six hours.

Drivers who have successfully made a reservation will receive a confirmation text message from the police.

Taxis, trucks, emergency vehicles and cars seating 10 or more people are exempt from registering, as are people headed for other cities via the Yanba Expressway, as well as those who live or work in Dapeng.