More Hong Kong permanent residents will soon be able to drive to Macau for work, sightseeing, family visits and business as the two cities move to expand an existing scheme to make better use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

The Transport Department said on Friday that all Hong Kong permanent residents and locally registered companies would be allowed to apply for 400 multiple-entry quota places under a new category for drivers of non-commercial private cars.

Under the current scheme, only Hong Kong permanent residents who have paid jobs in Macau or a company registered in the city, as well as select businesses, are eligible.

Businesses applying to the scheme must be either registered in both cities or be registered in Hong Kong but associated with another business registered in Macau.

“A new open category will be introduced to make better use of the bridge’s carrying capacity and facilitate efficient cross-boundary travel,” the spokesman said.

In addition to the 400 spaces under the new category, the number of spots for Hongkongers working in Macau and select businesses will be expanded to 1,000.