Electronic auto-toll extends to Lion Rock Tunnel

The city’s new electronic auto-toll system has been extended to the Lion Rock Tunnel, which connects Sha Tin and Kowloon Tong, on Sunday.

The launch at the Lion Rock Tunnel came two weeks after the scheme kickstarted at Tsing Sha Control Area on May 7, covering Eagle's Nest, Sha Tin Heights and Tai Wai tunnels.

From 5 am this morning, drivers whose vehicles are installed with eToll tags can pass through Shing Mun Tunnel in Sha Tin without stopping at toll booths for manual payments.

The roll-out at Lion Rock was mostly smooth, however, some drivers still slowed down or stopped at the old toll booths and needed guidance from tunnel staff.

One taxi driver praised the new system for its convenience, but said it was a bit unstable as he didn't receive text messages reminding him about the tunnel fees.

Another driver told reporters that he was already used to the system, having tried it at the Shing Mun Tunnels and the Tsing Sha Highway where it was launched earlier.

Transport Commissioner Rosanna Law Shuk-pui previously said that she doesn't expect the system to significantly relieve traffic jams at the Lion Rock Tunnel, although the traffic could move quicker.

The government has yet to decide when to extend the e-toll system to the three cross-harbor tunnels.