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Published: 13:16, March 22, 2023 | Updated: 18:01, March 22, 2023
HK's cross-harbor tunnel tolls to be adjusted from August
By Xi Tianqi and Li Bingcun
Published:13:16, March 22, 2023 Updated:18:01, March 22, 2023 By Xi Tianqi and Li Bingcun

Commuters drive through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, in Hong Kong, March 22, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Tolls at two of Hong Kong’s three cross-harbor tunnels will be raised by HK$10 ($1.28) in early August this year, while the charge for using the third and most expensive crossing will be lowered by HK$15 in a bid to ease traffic congestion.

According to proposals by the special administrative region government, the tolls for private cars at the busy Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel will go up to HK$30 from the current HK$20 and HK$25, respectively.

During the morning and evening rush hours from Mondays to Saturdays, private cars would have to pay HK$60 for using Western Harbour Tunnel, and HK$40 for two other crossings. The tolls at all the three tunnels during daytime hours will be set at HK$30, and HK$20 for non-peak hours

The charge for the Western Harbour Tunnel will be reduced to HK$60 from the current HK$75.

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As for taxis, the tolls for the three tunnels will be set at HK$25 regardless of whether they’re carrying passengers. The charge for other commercial vehicles, like trucks and buses, will be set at HK$50.

The new arrangements are expected to be implemented after the government takes over the franchise of the Western Harbour Tunnel on Aug 2.

Besides, time-varying tolls will also be introduced no later than the end of this year for using the three tunnels.

During the morning and evening rush hours from Mondays to Saturdays, private cars would have to pay HK$60 for using Western Harbour Tunnel, and HK$40 for two other crossings. The tolls at all the three tunnels during daytime hours will be set at HK$30, and HK$20 for non-peak hours.

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As for Sundays and public holidays, private cars will be charged HK$25 during the daytime hours, and HK$20 for other hours. The proposed toll for motor cycles will be about 40 percent of that of private cars.

This photo taken on March 22, 2023 shows a general view of the entrance of Western Harbour Tunnel, in Hong Kong. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Between different charge periods, there will be a transition time of about 20 to 30 minutes for drivers to adapt to the new charges, during which tolls would be increased or reduced by HK$2 every two minutes. 

The proposals were approved by the Executive Council on Tuesday and will be tabled in the Legislative Council for deliberations next week.

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