I would like to response to Mr H. B. Inman's letter (Sunday Morning Post, September 17) and to Mr Kevin Sinclair's article (South China Morning Post, September 18) on the autotoll system in road tunnels.
The Government has been encouraging tunnel operators to introduce an autotoll service for the convenience of motorists. The service is provided by tunnel operators at their own cost and motorists have a choice to subscribe to it or to continue to use the manual toll collection system.
The operators of the Lion Rock, Cross Harbour, Aberdeen and Eastern Harbour tunnels have opted for the 'Autopass' system while the Tate's Cairn Tunnel operator has put on trial the 'Electronic Toll Collection System (ETS)' which requires a different tag.
We agree that there is an advantage in having a single system as motorists with one tag can use the autotoll system in all road tunnels. However, the technology in electronic toll systems is fast changing. Up to now, no national or international standard has evolved whereby manufacturers can produce compatible products to a unified standard. As such, only 'proprietary' products which are not compatible with each other are available.
We do not consider it appropriate for the Government to favour at this stage one single system and exclude the other as this would create a monopolistic situation and may preclude the introduction of a better or unified system later on.
With regard to the 'ETS' at the Tate's Cairn Tunnel, I have asked the operator to provide additional signs and publicity to minimise confusion.