Tunnel tolls proposals defended by Hong Kong transport chief
- Government plan would increase cost to use the Cross-Harbour and Eastern Harbour tunnels to HK$30 for private cars, but cut the Western crossing fee
- Transport chief says gradual approach to charges needed, but legislators make alternative proposals
Hong Kong’s transport chief has defended his two-phased approach to toll charges for the city’s three cross-harbour tunnels to ease traffic jams, days after lawmakers offered a counterproposal for a more drastic revision.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung on Sunday said a gradual approach was needed, as the public was unwilling to accept large increases to tunnel tolls.
He added traffic levels were still affected by the pandemic and that it would take time to update the fare payment system.
Lam was speaking after the Transport and Logistics Bureau last Wednesday suggested increasing private car charges for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel from HK$20 (US$2.56) and the Eastern Harbour Tunnel from HK$25 to a flat rate of HK$30 for both.
The proposal also included lowering the toll for the most expensive crossing, the Western Harbour Tunnel, from HK$75 to HK$60.
The authorities said they would also consider the introduction of varying tunnel tolls for vehicles at different periods of the day after the first phase of fee adjustments.
