Govt adjusts tunnel tolls and parking fees; legislators debate Central Kowloon Bypass pricing

The government has proposed adjustments to four traffic-related fees, including tolls for the Central Kowloon Bypass, revised charges for the Aberdeen Tunnel and Shing Mun Tunnels, changes to the license fee structure for electric private cars, increases in roadside parking meter rates, and higher fixed penalties for illegal parking. 

Three of these amendments have already been gazetted and submitted to the Legislative Council for negative vetting. The relevant subcommittee completed its review this morning.  

During the discussion, legislator Kitson Yang Wing-kit raised concerns about the Central Kowloon Bypass toll, noting that the government had already reduced the proposed fee from HK$10 to HK$8. 

He asked whether further reductions might be possible in the future. 

Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics Liu Chun-san responded that future adjustments would depend on traffic flow and usage, with consideration given when appropriate.  

Labour sector legislator Chau Siu-chung argued that setting the Central Kowloon Bypass toll at HK$5 would improve traffic diversion more effectively than the HK$8 rate. 

However, Liu emphasized the need for balance, stating that while lower tolls might enhance diversion, they could also reduce cost recovery for operations. 

He added that if the initial diversion effect is too strong, it could lead to near-gridlock conditions on the route, making future toll increases—which would be harder for the public to accept—necessary.