Letters | Four more years of crawling through tunnels: why Hong Kong must grin and bear it
- The government’s withdrawal of the proposal to rationalise cross-harbour tunnel tolls in the face of legislator opposition only kicks the problem down the road
The proposal, which aimed to even out traffic flow among the three cross-harbour tunnels and therefore ease congestion, was long overdue. It is a real attempt to relieve jams at the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, which currently charges a ridiculously low toll fee of HK$20 for private cars. This is the cheapest, arguably shortest and most heavily used of the cross-harbour tunnels, despite the fact that the Eastern Harbour Tunnel charges only HK$5 more at HK$25.
The proposed increase to HK$40 is a huge jump percentage-wise; however, in terms of the time gained back when congestion is eased, it is very good value for money.
If both parties (the government and the legislators) are genuinely concerned about addressing the congestion problems which have haunted the city for decades, they should discuss the issue and negotiate for a compromise.