OpinionTunnel tolls must be adjusted – sooner rather than later

Suffering the same political setback twice in a span of two months is unwise, especially for an administration that prides itself as competent and daring. But it appears that Frank Chan Fan is heading into a cul-de-sac again with his unpopular proposal to adjust cross-harbour tunnel tolls. Unless he can sway lawmakers without making more concessions, traffic congestion will only worsen in the coming years.

The transport minister could have just sat back and done nothing after he was forced in January to abruptly withhold the long-overdue plan to try to even out the traffic at the three tunnels through toll increases and subsidies. He is therefore to be commended for having the political courage to revive the bid so swiftly. But lawmakers are understandably dismayed when asked to vote again on a package that looks more or less the same. With the toll rises intact and the understanding that no further attempts will be made if the package is not passed this time, the proposals remain a hard sell.

What sets the plan apart this time is the better vehicle flow at a new road link pivotal to traffic diversion. Now that the Central-Wan Chai Bypass has fully opened, confidence in the effectiveness of the toll adjustments may have improved. Additionally, the government has pledged to turn the increase in revenue – an estimated HK$913 million from 2020 to 2023 – into a smart fund to improve vehicle safety, along with an undertaking to review all cross-harbour tolls after it takes back ownership of the Western Harbour Tunnel, due in 2023.

Whether the new initiatives are attractive enough for the opposition to make a U-turn remains to be seen. But the initial feedback is far from positive. With elections looming on the horizon, Chan said he fully understood that lawmakers were wary of supporting unpopular policy measures. As the transport minister, Chan said the political responsibility ultimately rested with him. But even though he seems to be fully confident that the measures can successfully ease congestion, politicians may still face a backlash at the ballot box. The minister needs to work harder to convince lawmakers.

The last-minute withdrawal of the tunnel toll adjustments was one of the serious setbacks that called into question the quality of governance and the political sensitivity of individual ministers. Although the toll adjustments have been debated for years, Chan clearly underestimated the political resistance in the run up to elections. Lawmakers also have a duty to put aside their political interests and work for the public good. At stake is not just the government’s image and authority. It would be a shame if both sides allow the proposals to collapse while the congestion continues.