Govt Concedes Defeat Once Again Over Tunnel Tolls

Chief Executive Carrie Lam expressed regret on Tuesday as she confirmed that the government will be pulling a non-binding motion in Legco on a plan to even out the traffic using the city's three cross-harbour tunnels.

Many lawmakers had made it clear they would not back the proposal to increase the fees at two tunnels, while cutting them at the third. They cited strong opposition from the public at having to pay higher tolls.

Lam insisted the plan was a good idea, but said at a media briefing that the government would not waste Legco's time by putting it to a vote on Wednesday as originally scheduled.

"I respect members' decisions not so support the proposal. But I find it very regrettable. The administration will continue to identify measures to ease traffic congestion," Lam said.

It was the second time that the administration has withdrawn the motion, having also conceded on January 22 that there was a lack of support for the move.

The government wanted the HK$20 toll for private cars using the Cross Harbour Tunnel to be raised to HK$40, with the same new fee charged at the Eastern Harbour Crossing, rather than the current HK$25.

The HK$70 fee presently in place for car drivers at the quieter Western Harbour Crossing was to come down to HK$50.