Think of the greater good and back toll rises for cross-harbour and eastern tunnels, Hong Kong transport minister Frank Chan tells lawmakers

Hong Kong’s transport chief has called on lawmakers to support the government’s proposed toll increases for two of the three cross-harbour tunnels to ease chronic congestion, saying they should set aside their differences in favour of the overall public interest.

Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan’s appeal on Friday came after officials abruptly announced the night before that they would present a proposal at the legislature on January 23 to raise fees for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel.

Tolls for the privately run Western Harbour Tunnel would be lowered under the plan. Private cars would pay HK$40 (US$5.10) for the cross-harbour and eastern crossings – up from HK$20 and HK$25. Using the western route would cost HK$50, some HK$20 less than the current charge.

The initiative was unveiled in October’s policy speech by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, with the aim of rebalancing traffic.

The government has also proposed compensating the operator of the western tunnel for any losses incurred by the change until its franchise expires on August 1, 2023, capped at HK$1.8 billion. The new tolls would take effect from January 1, 2020.