Transport chief forecasts slight decrease in toll fees of Tai Lam Tunnel

The fees of Tai Lam Tunnel will be slightly decreased after the government recovers the tunnel’s franchise in May next year, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said. 

In an interview with Ming Pao published on Thursday, Lam said the fees will only slightly be decreased because the government wishes not to cause a sudden spike in traffic volume. 

The government also hopes that the arrangement can maximize the capacity of Tai Lam Tunnel and diverge traffic away from Tuen Mun Road and Tolo Highway, Lam noted. 

He continued that authorities previously thought about introducing a time-varying toll plan for Tai Lam Tunnel but the tunnel is frequently used by truckers and relevant changes could affect the logistics industry. 

Further decisions will be announced following the coming Legislative Council transport panel meeting on July 12, he said. 

Lam also rejected the suggestion of exempting the toll fees and pointed out that motorists have to shoulder the traveling costs as well. 

He further gave the example of the 2010 Asian Games when the host Guangzhou announced free public transport for a month, including highways, buses and trains. Yet, the transport network was soon overwhelmed and “collapsed”, forcing authorities to call it off after just one week. 

As to the controversy between Uber drivers and cabbies, Lam said the government will announce next month the research results of licensing online ride-hailing platforms and their relevant liabilities. 

However, the research this time doesn't involve licensing drivers and their vehicles, he added, saying that is a matter at a much later stage. 

Lam continued that the government understands Hongkongers’ demand for point-to-point transport and promised to provide a regulation framework for online ride-hailing services within his term of office.