Hong Kong transport minister makes final call to lawmakers to support cross-harbour tunnel toll increases
- Frank Chan not giving up hope that legislators might give the proposal the go-ahead, despite two key allies of the government saying they will oppose it
- He revealed Chief Executive Carrie Lam went to Beijing to cut a deal with the Western Harbour Tunnel’s operators
The transport minister made a last-ditch call on Saturday for lawmakers to support the proposed toll increases at three cross-harbour tunnels to ease congestion, revealing that Hong Kong’s leader even travelled to Beijing to bargain with a tunnel firm’s top management.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said he was not giving up hope that legislators would give the green light to the proposal on Wednesday when the government is due to table a non-binding motion at the Legislative Council.
“It is very difficult and that’s why we are still working hard,” Chan said. “Let’s think about it. As Hongkongers, if we could secure a smoother, greener, time-saving trip, why don’t we go ahead with it?”
Private cars would pay HK$40 (US$5.10) for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel – up from HK$20 and HK$25 respectively. Using the western route would cost HK$50, HK$20 less than the current charge.
The initiative was unveiled in October’s policy speech by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, with the aim of rebalancing traffic.