What do you think of the Western Harbour Tunnel toll rise?
Your editorial ('Time to end gridlock on tunnel traffic', January 5), though timely, will fall on deaf ears.
Our government, it seems, is waiting for the congestion at the Cross-Harbour Tunnel to become really chaotic before it considers taking any serious steps.
Giving approval to increase tolls at the Western Harbour Tunnel again is like feeding a lazy fat man (without a Legco debate), who hardly feels the need to make a real effort to earn more. And yet our government was willing to approve the rise, without any real resistance, on the grounds of economic viability.
Neither senior transport officials nor the tunnel company seem to realise that, with the new toll (HK$45 for private cars), fewer vehicles will use the tunnel.
If the toll was cut drastically, to say HK$25, more cars would use the tunnel and this would generate more income. That would ease congestion and the dreadful pollution our government claims it wants to tackle.
However, with the tolls going up by 15 per cent on Monday, more drivers will find it too expensive.