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Letters

A number of articles and letters have proposed how to reduce traffic congestion at the Victoria Harbour crossings, with a variety of viable solutions proposed (“Two ways Hong Kong can ease traffic jams in cross-harbour tunnels”, July 2, “Western Harbour Tunnel must lower its prices or face government takeover”, June 24). What is clearly absent is the government’s leadership in taking swift action to address the situation by following the examples of other cities.
The US has a system called E-ZPass – similar to Hong Kong’s Autotoll, but with some major advantages. Operating across 38 agencies and 16 states, E-ZPass provides a highly efficient toll collection system which Hong Kong could easily follow.
First, automatic tolls should be available in all lanes, in addition to the current dedicated lanes.
Second, a discount should be provided to automatic toll subscribers.
Third, lanes leading to the tunnels, especially the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, should be established for automatic tolls (and taxis) only, with fines for those drivers who flout the rule.
Fourth, harbour crossing fees should be adjusted for peak/non-peak hours.
Fifth, the tunnel fees should all be the same.
Hong Kong’s tunnel tolls need to change before the city grinds to a halt

Western Harbour Tunnel just got even more expensive
Electronic toll collection has been in existence in Hong Kong since 1992 but only 46 per cent of registered vehicles use it. One reason that has been stated for not subscribing to Autotoll is the monthly small HK$35 administrative fee, which is really a feeble excuse.
Greater emphasis on – and incentives for – automatic toll collection would have a significant impact on congestion, and of course reduce pollution from all the vehicles idling in traffic lines at rush hour.
Finally, people complain about the cost of the tunnels, as we complain about the cost of everything. A round-trip car cash toll from New Jersey into Manhattan, New York, is about HK$118, versus a HK$40 round trip for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. We already have a cheap deal.
Simon Constantinides, Pok Fu Lam


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Transport and logistics

Five ways Hong Kong can ease traffic jams at its cross-harbour tunnels

Vehicles queue up to enter the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hung Hom, where long traffic jams are par for the course. Photo: Bruce Yan

Tolls at Hong Kong tunnels (HK$) Vehicle Western Harbour Cross Harbour types Tunnel* Tunnel Eastern Harbour Crossing Tate's Cairn Tunnel Tai Lam Tunnel Motorcycles, motor tricycles 25 8 13 15 20 Private cars, electric vehicles 70 20 25 20 44 Taxis 65 10 25# 20 44 Public and private light buses 80 10 38 23 and 24 respectively 100 Light goods vehicles 80 15 38 24 45 Medium goods vehicles 105 20 50 28 50 Heavy goods vehicles 135 30 75 28 55 Public and private single-decked buses 130 10 50 32 130 Public and private double-decked buses 185 15 75 35 153 Each extra axle (goods vehicles only) 30 10 25 24 Free of charge Source: Transport Department * From May 2Z 2018 # HK$15 with no passengers SCMP

Western Harbour Tunnel toll hike adds to list of Hong Kong miseries

Sparse traffic on the Kowloon side of the Western Harbour Tunnel, on May 25. Higher tolls are likely to see more motorists crowd the already frequently congested Cross-Harbour Tunnel. Photo: Roy Issa

Eagle's Nest and Shatin Heights tunnel Western Harbour crossing Cross Harbour tunnel Lion Rock Tunnel Tate's Cairn tunnel Eastern Harbour crossing SCMP

graphic for online

How Hong Kong’s cross-harbour tunnels deepen the class divide with toll charges

The Western Harbour Tunnel traffic has the most expensive tolls and the least traffic, which suits the well-heeled. Photo: Roy Issa

Opinion

Traffic and road safety in Hong Kong