Hong Kong officials claim toll levels at Tate’s Cairn Tunnel to hold after it takes over next year

But government paper also makes clear rates will be subject to a review as part of an overall study of the city’s three harbour crossing and two other tunnels

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The tunnel’s franchise was awarded to Tate’s Cairn Tunnel Company in 1988 for a period of 30 years. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:56pm, 12 May 2017Updated: 11:21pm, 12 May 2017

Hong Kong officials plan to assume ownership of Tate’s Cairn Tunnel linking the New Territories and Kowloon when a 30-year franchise expires in July next year.

Despite government assurances that toll levels at the tunnel will remain unchanged after the takeover, the rates would be subject to a review as part of an overall toll adjustment study of the city’s three harbour crossings and two other Sha Tin tunnels, according to a government paper submitted to the Legislative Council’s transport panel.

The tunnel’s franchise, awarded to the Tate’s Cairn Tunnel Company in 1988 for a period of 30 years, is set to expire on July 11 next year, at which time the government would take over.

The franchise holder is partly owned by transportation firm NWS Holdings, which also runs Citybus and New World First Bus.

The tunnel’s management will be contracted out through an open tender under the Transport Department’s supervision.

The paper said there would be no major change to the tunnel’s operations, including toll levels.