Opinion | Bold experiment on tunnel tolls to ease Hong Kong traffic jams deserves credit

Partial electronic road pricing in all but name, the two-part reforms aim to finally get traffic jams under control

But after the boldness of the first phase, the government should be cautious about further changes to ensure the public has time to adjust and accept

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Toll booths at the Kowloon side entrance of the Cross Harbour Tunnel on March 22. Photo: May Tse

Published: 2:45pm, 9 Apr 2023

The government is set to conduct a bold experiment on tunnel tolls. The first thing to be said is that any administration which can get the words “government”, “bold” and “experiment” in the same sentence deserves great credit.

The changes will come into force in two phases: the first on August 2 after the Western Harbour Tunnel franchise expires, and the second on a date to be fixed, hopefully before the end of the year. The focus of the first phase will be on private cars and taxis, with the former subject to a HK$60 (US$7.65), HK$30, HK$30 (Western, Central, Eastern) regime and the latter subject to a flat HK$25 toll for all three tunnels.

The second phase will be more complicated with tolls varying with the time of day, different arrangements for public holidays and a stiff flat rate for minibuses.

Three main results are envisaged: a reduction in road-based cross-harbour travel, especially by private cars and taxis; a more even traffic volume between the three tunnels; and less peak-hour congestion. Some of the changes are controversial and their practicality has been challenged.

Public reaction will vary according to individual circumstances. All eyes are likely to be on how the sophisticated software needed to implement the arrangements holds up under pressure. Memories of the false start to the HKeToll scheme are still fresh.

We are all familiar with the background to the plans: Hong Kong is a small place with a lot of people and vehicles. The traffic situation is reasonable for much of the day, but congestion can be serious, especially around the central tunnel during peak hours.