Tai Lam Tunnel toll plans heat up as lawmaker proposes free passage during non-peak hours

As the franchise for the Tai Lam Tunnel is set to expire at the end of May, lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun has put forward amendments to the toll plan and suggested that all private cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles should be exempt from tolls during non-peak hours.

The Legislative Council is set to resume the second reading debate on the Road Tunnels Amendment Bill on Wednesday (Feb 19). The government originally proposed that private cars be charged in different time periods, ranging from HK$45 during peak time slots, HK$30 during regular time slots, to HK$18 during off-peak time slots on weekdays.

Additionally, an HK$28 uniform toll for taxis and a HK$43 all-day uniform toll for commercial vehicles was proposed.

Tien suggested that private cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles (except taxis) be charged a sectional fare only during morning rush hour southbound and afternoon rush hour northbound from Monday to Saturday, with a consistent fee of HK$5 for taxis.

However, the government expressed concerns that reducing tolls at the Tai Lam Tunnel could lead to increased traffic flow and congestion, undermining the principle of cost recovery, with an annual deficit projected to exceed HK$270 million.

The government mentioned that the total annual revenue is expected to drop from approximately HK$720 million in the original plan to HK$130 million if Tien's suggestions were adopted, which will be lower than the estimated operating costs.

In response, Tien stated that providing free passage during off-peak hours will aid in traffic management during peak times and emphasized that the government should provide free infrastructure for citizens, underlining the inequity of the Tuen Mun Road being toll-free while the Tai Lam Tunnel requires a toll.

Tien further questioned whether other tunnels, such as the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel and the Tuen Mun Chek Lap Kok Tunnel Road, should implement a toll under the users' pay principle.

Tien also noted that the projected annual revenue under the government's toll plan will be HK$720 million, which is significantly higher than the HK$400 million operating costs, suggesting the current toll plan is unreasonable.