Hong Kong’s new e-toll system ‘ready to go’ after launch fiasco, 2-month delay; transport commissioner eyes May roll-out
- More than 75 per cent of city’s vehicles have received tags needed for new system, Commissioner for Transport Rosanna Law says
- HKeToll system, designed to save commuters time and originally set for February, will be rolled out on Tsing Sha Highway on May 7
Hong Kong’s new electronic toll payment system is “ready to go any time” following a two-month delay, the transport commissioner has revealed, while more than 75 per cent of the city’s vehicles have received their required tags.
Commissioner for Transport Rosanna Law Shuk-pui on Sunday said the figure represented more than 600,000 vehicles. Among them at least 60 per cent, or 370,000, had created the accounts needed to use the new e-toll system.
“This means we are ready to go any time. We have already completed the part that will allow us to get this done once and for all,” Law told a television programme.
Hong Kong transport commissioner apologises for delays amid e-toll fiasco
“We will now wait until 5am on May 7, when the HKeToll will be launched on the Tsing Sha Highway. After this, drivers will be able to enjoy this convenience.”
The HKeToll system, originally set for February 26, will allow drivers to pay without having to stop or queue up.
Transport officials hope to implement the system at all government-tolled tunnels this year, including two of the three Victoria Harbour crossings. The privately operated Western Harbour Tunnel will adopt it once authorities resume control in August.
Defending her decision to delay the launch, Law said many people felt the original timetable was too hurried, with some taxi drivers expressing worries that they could not use the highway if they had not preregistered.
Law explained the Tsing Sha Highway was picked as it was less frequently used than others. But she said officials had acknowledged the public’s reaction, prompting the delayed launch and the set-up of one-stop registration services targeting taxi drivers.
Not so fast: Hong Kong delays new e-toll system aimed at speeding up commutes
“So today, reaching the 75 per cent [of cars receiving their vehicle tags], we believe this is very good,” she said. “But this is not enough, we still have around one month left [until the launch]. We will keep doing more promotion and introduce more convenient measures, which we will announce soon.”
Law also emphasised the delay would not affect the government’s overall implementation timetable for the e-toll system. Authorities still expected to roll out the service at the Western Harbour Tunnel in August, making it the sixth to use the system, she said.
The commissioner also commented on the government’s plan to adjust tolls for the city’s three cross-harbour tunnels.
Toll rise of up to HK$10 at 2 Hong Kong cross-harbour tunnels from August 2
Authorities will first adjust tunnel tolls in August for private cars and taxis under the two-stage plan. In the second stage, private cars and motorcycles will be charged varying fees based on three time slots throughout the day from Monday to Saturday.
The arrangement is expected to come into effect by the end of the year.
Law noted it was unlikely that authorities would further amend tunnel tolls in both stages of the plan, adding they would need to observe the situation after it was introduced before making a decision.
