Lawmakers push for lower tolls as time-varying Tai Lam plan released

Ayra Wang

The Transport and Logistics Bureau has unveiled its proposed time-varying toll plan for the Tai Lam Tunnel, with private vehicles to be charged HK$18 to HK$45.

The government will roll out the new fees on May 31 next year when it takes over the tunnel's operations.

The bureau said it will implement HKeToll and adjust prices to meet public expectations and for traffic management.

"The Tai Lam Tunnel is one of the major transportation and logistics routes between the New Territories West/North and urban areas maintaining its smooth traffic is highly crucial," the bureau said.

Tolls for private vehicles will vary by time - HK$45 during peak hours, HK$30 during normal time and HK$18 during off-peak hours on weekdays - a 22 to 69 percent reduction to the current HK$58 toll.

Motorcycles will be charged HK$7.20 to HK$18 for similar time slots.

Taxis and commercial vehicles will be charged a flat all-day toll of HK$28 and HK$43, respectively.

The bureau said the toll adjustment will help divert part of the traffic from Tuen Mun Road and Tolo Highway to the tunnel. "At the same time, this adjustment will attract commercial vehicles to use the Tai Lam Tunnel, which is conducive to the operation and development of the logistics industry."

Lawmakers urged the government to further lower tolls and review the plan after implementation.

Ben Chan Han-pan, who chairs the Legislative Council panel on transport, urged the government to explore how to further reduce taxi and commercial vehicle tolls.

Edward Law Kwok-fan said he learned that HK$18 tolls would cover the tunnel's maintenance and operation, and that the pricier tolls for private cars are just meant "to control the traffic."

Michael Luk Chung-hung suggested further reducing tolls during off-peak hours and for commercial vehicles to ease operational pressure on trade sectors.

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun said the government should lower peak-hour tolls for private cars to HK$40 and not charge at all during off-peak hours.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com