Autopass is working
I REFER to the letter from Mr Anthony Kirk-Duncan (South China Morning Post, September 6) concerning traffic movement through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel since the introduction of the Autopass automatic toll collection system.
The number of vehicles which use the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, in both directions, will of course, vary from day to day. However, the daily average figure, to date, is 122,786, including Autopass traffic.
Vehicle throughput at the automatic lanes has steadily increased since the introduction of the system on August 1, and is now 12,582 per day, of which 50 per cent are cars and taxis, 40 per cent are buses and the remainder comprise goods vehicles and light buses.
Hourly traffic flow figures, which are the best indicator of traffic movement throughout the day, have been maintained since Autopass was introduced and, more recently, have shown a marginal increase of about 100 vehicles per hour in each direction, due to the growth in the number of tag-holders.
These factors, together with the favourable comments received from drivers who are using the Autopass service, justify the introduction of a facility which provides for a quicker, more convenient means of travelling through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.
D. A. REID Tunnel Manager The Cross-Harbour Tunnel Co, Ltd
