Time-varying toll proposed for Tai Lam Tunnel, HK$28 uniform charge for taxis

The tolls for private vehicles utilizing the Tai Lam Tunnel will vary by time slots, ranging from HK$18 to HK$45, depending on whether the time is categorized as peak hours.

The new toll plan was revealed as the government introduced the bill to the Legislative Council regarding the takeover of the Tunnel on May 31 next year.

Private cars will be charged HK$45 during peak time slots, HK$30 during normal time slots, and HK$18 during off-peak time slots on weekdays. As for Sundays and public holidays, the tolls will be HK$18 throughout the day.

The proposed new toll is up to 69 percent in reduction compared with the current tolls.

Taxis and commercial vehicles, such as goods vehicles and buses, will be charged an all-day uniform toll of HK$28 and HK$43, respectively. It also represented a reduction rate ranging from 33 percent to 80 percent compared to the current toll for taxis and commercial vehicles.

The tolls for motorcycles will be set at 40 percent of the tolls for private cars during the corresponding time slots, ranging from HK$7.2 to HK$18.

The government said the time-varying toll plan arrangement would be similar to the three road-harbour crossings, and a transition charging will be in place to bridge the time slots.

"We believe that an appropriate downward adjustment of the tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel could divert part of the traffic from Tuen Mun Road and Tolo Highway to the Tai Lam Tunnel," the government spokesman said. " thereby improving the traffic conditions of the two highways and facilitating public commuting in the New Territories West/North."

The relevant bill will be gazetted on Friday (Dec 6) for introduction into LegCo for First Reading on December 11, and the spokesman said the government will fully support LegCo's scrutiny of the bill and strive for its early passage.

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