Dropping cross-harbour tunnel toll plan for second time ‘does not weaken Hong Kong government’, says leader Carrie Lam
- City chief insists dropping the motion for a second time shows administration ‘willing to come up with solutions to the city’s problems’
- Plan to lower some charges and raise others has run into opposition
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said her government has decided to shelve for the second time a plan to change tolls on Hong Kong’s cross-harbour tunnels, and the plan would not be revived before the government takes back running of the Western Harbour Tunnel in 2023.
Lam also insisted that the decision would not weaken the government’s authority. Instead, it showed her cabinet was willing to come up with solutions to the city’s problems in the face of vested interests, she said.
“Hong Kong is a diverse society, and there are vested interests … so when these proposals can’t get enough support from the Legislative Council, we will respect them,” she added.
Lam was referring to the government’s plan to raise tolls at the publicly operated Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel, while lowering them for the privately run Western Harbour Tunnel, which is underused because of its higher charges.
The government first presented its motion on the changes to Legco in January. But Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan abruptly withdrew it after strong opposition from members.
