This was first reported by Dimsum Daily. TSN has read the Transport Department paper it cites. Where the numbers differ, we use the paper.
Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service will give residents of Hong Kong’s Islands District free rides in its self-driving cars in Tung Chung, from 21 October to 3 November 2026 [1][2].
Local media describe it as Hong Kong’s first community public trial of self-driving cars [1][4]. The Transport Department said in a paper to the Islands District Council that it supports the event so people can experience self-driving for themselves [2].
How it works
- Dates: Islands District councillors ride first, on the afternoon of 20 October. Rides for Islands District residents run for 14 days, 21 October to 3 November [2].
- Times: 2pm to 6pm each day [2].
- Route: a loop of about 5.1 km, taking about 15 minutes. It starts at Yat Tung Estate Car Park No. 1, runs via Chung Yan Road, Yu Tung Road and Yi Tung Road to the Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel, and returns. There are no stops along the way [2].
- Safety: a backup operator stays in the car. Baidu says its backup operators have on average 10 years’ driving experience and at least 100 hours of self-driving training, and the cars are insured [2].
Who can ride
- Riders must be aged 8 or over, or at least 1.35 metres tall, because the cars have no child seats yet [2].
- The cars are still being tested and have no barrier-free fittings, so people with limited mobility are asked to take extra care [2].
- Rides are free. Each ticket is for one ride, at most two people per car. Tickets are for the public only, not companies, organisations or the media. Reselling is banned, and you must show a physical ticket [2].
How many tickets?
The paper’s annex says at most 540 ride tickets, carrying up to 1,080 people [2].
Dimsum Daily and HK01 report different figures: 600 tickets, up to 1,200 people, with 540 tickets going to councillors [1][4]. TSN could not confirm the 600 figure in the paper it read.
Not part of the official tests
Baidu already runs self-driving tests in North Lantau. In February they were allowed to extend from the Airport Island into Tung Chung and Sunny Bay, and from late July a remote backup operator was added alongside the one in the car [3].
A Transport Department engineer told the council that these public rides are not a test, and their data will not count as test data [5].
What this means
- Ordinary residents get a ride. Until now, the Tung Chung cars have been part of a testing programme.
- It is short and small. Two weeks, one 15-minute loop, and a few hundred tickets.
- A human is still on board. Every ride has a backup operator.
Sources
- Dimsum Daily, “Baidu opens free Tung Chung robotaxi trials”, 13 October 2026. https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/baidu-opens-free-tung-chung-robotaxi-trials/
- Transport Department, Islands District Council Traffic and Transport Committee Paper No. 36/2026 and annex (Chinese), 13 October 2026. https://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/island/doc/2024_2027/tc/committee_meetings_doc/TTC/31508/TTC_2026_36_TC.pdf and https://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/island/doc/2024_2027/tc/committee_meetings_doc/TTC/31508/TTC_2026_36_A1_TC.pdf
- Hong Kong Government press release (Chinese), Transport Department working group inspects North Lantau Tung Chung test project, 10 October 2026. https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/10/P2026100900582.htm
- HK01 (Chinese), 13 October 2026. https://www.hk01.com/社會新聞/60398971/
- Commercial Radio Hong Kong (Chinese), 13 October 2026. https://www.881903.com/news/local/2654562
