Smooth HKeToll trips needed at all Hong Kong tunnels
- Payments via electronic tags for city motorists may have got off to a good start, but there are bigger challenges ahead
Automatic toll payments meant to ease congestion at Hong Kong’s road tunnels finally went into operation this week. It appears there were few problems, but authorities should now ensure the remaining HKeToll roll-out proceeds just as smoothly.
Cars fitted with new electronic tags began moving past sensors at the Tsing Sha Control Area on Sunday. Some drivers initially hesitated as they approached the now-closed toll collection booths, but rush hour the following morning was said to be uneventful.
However, similar success is not guaranteed as authorities expand the system by the end of the year. There are concerns drivers will struggle to adjust to new arrangements at the busier Lion Rock and Shing Mun tunnels, the next in line.
Many motorists are yet to register for the scheme, which also replaces Autotoll e-payments.
Officials spent months trying to coax vehicle owners to apply for an HKeToll tag, open an online account and create a payment method. Late last year, thousands of applications submitted with car registration renewals were not processed because of “system inconsistencies”.