I totally agree with the comments made by Alec Gore in the letter headlined 'Ridiculous restriction should be scrapped' (South China Morning Post, April 12).
Motorcyclists should be allowed Autotoll tags for Hong Kong's tunnels.
Autotoll has said there are technology, operational, safety and enforcement concerns and that a final decision cannot be made without approval from the Transport Department and the tunnel operators.
However, I question these concerns. A motorcyclist is forced to stop at the toll-booths, engage neutral gear and put at least one foot on to the ground whilst he fumbles for change. This is dangerous, given the poor condition of the road near the booths, especially the large amounts of oil that makes footing treacherous. It is also time-consuming and annoys other drivers while, as Mr Gore pointed out, the motorcyclist has to go through his pockets for coins.
I hope motorcyclists can soon be allowed the convenience of using Autotoll facilities. Would anybody from the Transport Department or the tunnel companies care to comment?
NICK PEARSON
