The toll for private cars crossing the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge could be set below HK$100 for a one-way trip, the secretary for transport and housing has said.
Tolls would be as low as possible, Eva Cheng said, adding that the government was not aiming to use road charges to cover the huge construction cost.
'Our target is simple. Tolls will be set at levels sufficient to repay bank loans and support daily maintenance costs of the bridge,' the minister said on a radio programme yesterday.
'The higher the traffic flow, the lower the bridge toll. The proposed lowest toll for private cars can be set below HK$100 while another proposal suggests a level around HK$100.'
Ms Cheng was confident that a switch from a model under which the three regional governments would cover any shortfall between building costs and private investments to government financing would secure lower tolls.
She said final charges would be decided by representatives from the three governments, taking into account interest on bank loans.