Tai Lam toll rise sparks fears of clogged road

Christine Tang

Traffic congestion on Tuen Mun Road may become more serious as more drivers will not use Tai Lam Tunnel, a Legislative Council member said, after its toll was raised by up to 7 percent from yesterday.

The tunnel, which links Ting Kau and Yuen Long, is seeing a third consecutive year of toll increases.

Many drivers in Yuen Long said they would use Tuen Mun Road instead.

Tolls for double-decker buses rose most significantly by HK$16 to HK$213, and for single-deckers by HK$13 to HK$180.

Tolls for minibuses are up HK$9, bringing their new rate to HK$126.

Car and taxi drivers have to pay HK$58, up HK$3, while light, medium and heavy goods vehicle drivers have to pay HK$5 to HK$6 more.

"The cost of using Tai Lam Tunnel from Ting Kau Bridge back to Yuen Long to where I live, including toll fees and fuel, is HK$80. If I drive through Tuen Mun Road, the cost is HK$40. In short, the tunnel was opened without consideration for the majority of drivers," a Yuen Long resident, Tse, said.

This is the sixth toll increase for the tunnel in nine years. The cumulative increase for cars is close to 45 percent.

Its average daily traffic flow has dropped from about 61,000 to about 40,000 in recent years, returning to the level of 23 years ago, which is far lower than the tunnel flow target of 140,000.

Tuen Mun Road sees almost bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours. The traffic volume of the two roads differs by more than twice.

"Due to the high tolls, the effects of diversion cannot be achieved, defeating the purpose of building the tunnel," said Ben Chan Hang-pan, chairman of Legco's transport panel.

The tunnel is now operated by a private company under a build-operate-transfer arrangement. There is still 1 years to go until the end of the franchise. After that, the government takes it back.

"I do hope there will be a reduction in tolls after the takeover to achieve the aim of diverting traffic from Tuen Mun Road to the tunnel," Chan said.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said it has set up an interdepartmental team to prepare for the takeover, and will review tunnel tolls and gather opinions from the public and the Legco in a timely manner.