Proposal to revamp Hong Kong’s cross-harbour tunnel tolls will have to be shelved until 2023 if Legco does not give the green light, transport minister says
- Non-binding motion will go before Legislative Council on March 27 for the unpopular measure, which lawmakers across the political spectrum have opposed
- The measure, which raises tolls on two cross-harbour tunnels and reduces them on a third, aims to ease traffic congestion
Hong Kong’s transport minister said on Friday he would defer a controversial proposal to revamp cross-harbour tunnel tolls for another four years if lawmakers rejected the government’s second attempt to get it passed.
The toll adjustment proposal, intended to ease congestion, looked likely to be shelved, with lawmakers across the political spectrum still unconvinced by the revised plan as the proposed toll increases for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel remained in place.
Announcing he would re-table a non-binding motion at the Legislative Council on March 27 for the toll plan, Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan called on lawmakers to support it for the greater good. He said the proposal aimed to alleviate traffic congestion and shorten journey times, particularly on buses and minibuses.
“We need to make our best effort to push the toll proposal through Legco. This is a scheme that will help smooth the traffic along the three cross-harbour tunnels. It will benefit all of us, particularly those who take public transport every day,” he said.
“We realise it is not an easy task but it’s what we have to do. We have to get the resolution at the legislature to move things forward … If Legco votes it down this time, we’ll have no option but to drop it for reconsideration until 2023.”
The plan proposed raising tolls at the publicly operated Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel, while lowering them for the privately run Western Harbour Tunnel, which is currently underused because of its higher charges.
