Tai Lam Tunnel headed toward lower toll rates

Eunice Lam

Three options are being proposed to lower the tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel connecting Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long after the government reclaims ownership in May next year, according to a document submitted to the Legislative Council yesterday.

Ahead of the meeting with Legco's transport panel on Friday, the Transport and Logistics Bureau listed three scenarios for the tunnel upon its takeover.

The first is a fixed toll of HK$22 for motorcycles and HK$45 for other vehicles - including private cars, taxis and commercial vehicles - under which traffic at the tunnel is expected to be smooth.

A second fixed toll would see motorcycles charged HK$17 and other vehicles HK$35. But the government believes this would cause traffic jams.

"If there is further significant downward adjustment of private car fares and additional traffic flow is induced, the fares of other vehicles [including commercial vehicles] may need to be adjusted upward to strike a balance in traffic management to avoid congestion," the government said.

A third proposal includes a time-varying charge in which private cars will be charged HK$45 at peak hours, HK$35 during the "normal time slot" and HK$20 during nonpeak hours. A uniform toll of HK$30 will be charged for taxis and HK$45 for commercial vehicles.

Since the toll levels and traffic conditions at Tai Lam Tunnel are different from the three cross-harbor tunnels, the government expects the effectiveness in alleviating congestion will be less significant despite adopting time-varying tolls.

"We expect overall traffic conditions under this toll scenario to be similar to the first scenario, but it is expected the overall toll revenue will be lower," it said.

Lawmaker Ben Chan Han-pan, who chairs the transport panel, agreed with the suggested time-varying toll plan but said it could be tweaked into two categories - "peak hours" and "nonpeak hours."

He suggested private cars can be charged HK$45 at peak hours and HK$20 during nonpeak hours, while the government can also consider standardizing the uniform charge for taxis at HK$25 in all government tunnels.

Route 3 (CPS) Co currently runs Tai Lam Tunnel, but the government is taking over the tunnel and Yuen Long Approach Road following the end of a 30-year franchise on May 30 next year.

The current toll for both private cars and taxis at the tunnel is HK$58.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said earlier it would "appropriately lower" the tolls to "respond to expectations."

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com

Editorial: Page 4