Minibus passengers and operators angry after Hong Kong rush hour toll charge increases at harbour tunnels add up to 43% to ticket prices
- New charges with higher tolls at peak times for most commercial vehicles came into force on Sunday morning
- Minibus industry body says operators increased ticket prices by between 8 and 43 per cent as a result
Minibus passengers on eight Hong Kong cross-harbour routes have been slapped with up to 43 per cent fare increases after the tolls for the three tunnels were increased as part of a plan to cut down on traffic traffic jams.
The second stage of the toll adjustment scheme came into force at 5am on Sunday, with most commercial vehicles – such as red-topped minibuses – paying a charge of HK$50 (US$6.4) to use the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the Eastern Harbour Tunnel and the Western Harbour Tunnel.
The HK Public-light Bus Owner and Driver Association said eight of the privately run red-topped minibus routes raised their prices from between 8 and 43 per cent because of the toll increases.
The toll charge for the minibuses was HK$10 for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and HK$38 for the Eastern tunnel before the change.
The biggest increase was on the Wan Chai to Tsz Wan Shan route, with ticket prices jumping from HK$14 to HK$20.