Q Which tunnel options would best ease traffic?
I do not understand why there is such a fuss about differences in tunnel fees. Have drivers never heard about the expression penny-wise pound-foolish? This is exactly what is happening here and I had this discussion with my employer (who pays all my car expenses including tunnel fees) several years ago.
If I have to make a detour of 10km or more to take a cheaper tunnel and spend on average 40 minutes per day or more in traffic jams instead of having a smooth ride, I will use three or four litres of petrol at $11 a litre, which is the same or more than I pay in surcharge for the tunnel.
This is besides the time lost in the traffic jam. I do not know how other people value their time but mine is definitely worth more then $40 per hour - an extra hour I could spend at the office or in quality time with the family.
In order to make it simple for all drivers who cannot calculate, the government should make all tunnel fees the same but just collect more tax from the Cross-Harbour Tunnel than from the others to even it out, and in that way make more income/less deficit and avoid unnecessary pollution and traffic jams.
Jeffry Kuperus, Clear Water Bay