Realignment of tunnel tolls is long overdue
- Lawmakers must put politics aside when they vote on the proposals on Wednesday, as procrastination will only worsen congestion
A long overdue move by the government to tackle the city’s notorious cross-harbour traffic congestion ought to win instant cross-party support.
Lamentably, a non-binding motion seeking to spread the uneven usage of the three tunnels via toll rises and subsidies is on the brink of defeat.
Congestion will only worsen if we continue to take a back seat. We urge lawmakers to put public interest above politics and give the green light to the proposals on Wednesday.
This sorry state of affairs owes much to the inaction of previous governments. There were no shortage of consultancy studies and ideas over the past decade, but it was not until last year that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor came up with concrete proposals.
The delay was partly attributed to the need to wait until the opening of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass to help divert traffic.
Meanwhile, vehicle growth continues unchecked. Lam, to her credit, swiftly put the issue on the government’s agenda.