No serious bugs - but some hesitation - as e-toll scheme gets going

Eunice Lam

About one in six drivers passing the Tsing Sha tunnel control area yesterday lacked HKeToll vehicle tags, with some confused motorists slowing or stopping on the first day of the e-toll scheme.

The system, which requires drivers attaching a tag to their vehicles so scanners can identify them and bill people, was launched at the control area in Sha Tin at 5am. Drivers no longer need to stop at booths to pay when using the Tai Wai, Sha Tin Heights and Eagle's Nest tunnels.

Despite a signboard atop booths which had black covering that specified "No stopping" some drivers hesitated and only went ahead after officers told them to move forward.

The number of lanes was slashed from nine to three. Many truck drivers entered the left-side lane designated for buses and had to reverse under officers' instruction.

Transport Commissioner Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said that as of 5.30pm 25,375 vehicles had been through the control area, but more than 4,000 lacked a tag.

She noted some drivers had still to adapt to the new tolling system so more signs with clear instructions were going up today.

Authorities had issued over 680,000 vehicle tags covering 85 percent of vehicles in Hong Kong.

Some 70 percent of those with tags had registered an account with the Transport Department but had still to select a payment method.

"After crossing the tunnel a message will be sent to drivers within two minutes they are being charged," Law said. "Drivers need not worry even if they have yet to pick a payment method as you can manage all toll fee payments once setting up an auto bill."

For those without a tag a snapshot will be taken of plates and a text message will be sent for drivers to pay the toll within 14 working days.

Tunnel scanners will also be set up at portal frames near the control area toll plaza to detect vehicle tags, and those who fail to pay on time will have to pay a surcharge of HK$175.

Independent legislator Doreen Kong Yuk-foon of the Election Committee constituency drove to the Eagle's Nest tunnel to try out the system in the afternoon. She noted there were no queues at the toll plaza.

"The HKeToll app is also good to use as I got a notification once I crossed the tunnel," she added.

People who drive for a living including cabbies can split payments among themselves on the app.

They can also register for driver cards - HK$120 each - that come with technology for tunnel scanners to identify the person behind the wheel.

But taxi driver Ng, using the driver card, was confounded by the system.

After crossing the tunnel at 11am he received two messages - one notifying him he had been charged HK$8 and another that "automatic payment failed." He soon received a third message, saying payment was made through his driver's card's balance.

But then there was a fourth to say his account had an insufficient balance. Ng said: "I had added HK$100 to my account. There should have been at least HK$90 left after deducting the fee." So last night he remained unsure of his payment status.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com