Hong Kong government takeover of Tai Lam Tunnel expected to lower tolls

Motorists in Hong Kong can expect lower fees at the Tai Lam Tunnel in the New Territories after the government reclaims control of it next May, with authorities considering three options, all leading to reduced tolls. Officials were set to raise the three options with lawmakers on Friday, according to a paper released on Monday. They included two simple fixed tolls proposals, and a third option that would see fares change throughout the day. The 3.8km (2.4 mile) Tai Lam Tunnel is a core part of Route 3 which connects Tsing Long Highway and Ting Kau Bridge. The first scenario retains the existing fixed toll structure at Tai Lam Tunnel, but the fee for private cars, taxis and other commercial vehicles would be significantly reduced to HK$45 (US$5.8), a 22 per cent reduction for private cars and taxis, and a more substantial 30 per cent to 79 per cent decrease for commercial vehicles. The fee for motorcycles and motor tricycles would also be reduced to HK$22 from HK$28. Authorities said this plan would likely increase the tunnel’s usage rate while maintaining smooth traffic. “The purpose of this toll scenario is to respond to societal expectations for lower tunnel fees, while still achieving a relatively ideal traffic management outcome,” the paper said. “This can also help alleviate the current traffic congestion on the Tsing Lung Bridge, as well as the Tolo Highway.” The second scenario would see fares further reduced to HK$17 for motorcycles and motor tricycles, and HK$35 across the board for other vehicles. Authorities said this greater reduction would cause “excessive additional traffic, causing congestion at the Tai Lam Tunnel”. Traffic volume would exceed capacity by around 5 per cent during peak hours, leading to a queue of vehicles potentially extending about 700 metres (766 yards) at the tunnel entrance, but this would not significantly help ease traffic from the Tsing Lung Bridge and Tolo Highway. “Therefore, we believe that this level of toll or lower should not be adopted,” the paper said. The third scenario would adopt “time-of-day” pricing, which would see tolls vary according to peak, regular and off-peak hours. Motorcycles and motor tricycles would pay HK$22 during peak hours, HK$17 during regular hours and HK$10 during off-peak hours. For private vehicles, it would be HK$45, HK$35 and HK$20 respectively. The fee for taxis would remain at HK$30 throughout the day, and commercial vehicles would also pay a fixed toll of HK$45. Authorities said the third option would respond to public expectations to lower the tunnel fees as much as possible while keeping traffic smooth. “The overall traffic situation under this toll scenario is expected to be similar to the first scenario, but the overall tunnel toll revenue is expected to decrease,” the paper added. Lawmaker Gary Zhang Xinyu, who sits on the Legislative Council’s transport affairs panel, said he believed the third option was the best choice. But the proposal could be further simplified to comprising just peak and off-peak periods, he added. “Tai Lam Tunnel has been quite underused to begin with, unlike the harbour crossing tunnels,” the lawmaker said. The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Eastern Harbour Tunnel and Western Harbour Tunnel have used a four-tier tolling system based on the time of day and week since December. “The [Tai Lam Tunnel’s] off-peak traffic volume is well below capacity, so you won’t need that in-between slot,” Zhang said. He added that most residents would likely be satisfied with the price. “Of course, it would ideally be free, but I think most people will find this acceptable,” he said. But Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association chairman Chau Kwok-keung said he preferred the second option. “The simpler, the better,” he said, despite the third proposal including a fixed fee for taxis. “I don’t want to be arguing with my passenger about what they should be paying, it’s best if everything can be straightforward,” he said. Kwok also brushed aside concerns the second option could cause severe traffic jams, arguing the tunnel was not a busy route and he did not expect things to pick up significantly even with the reduced fares. The Tai Lam Tunnel has operated since 1995 under a build-operate-transfer model by a consortium, with the franchise due to expire in May next year.

Hong Kong government takeover of Tai Lam Tunnel expected to lower tolls

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Officials will raise three options to lawmakers, including two fixed toll proposals and a third option with staggered fares throughout the day

Officials will raise three options to lawmakers, including two fixed toll proposals and a third option with staggered fares throughout the day