Govt Poised To Drop Tunnel Toll Motion – Again

The government on Monday appeared to be on the verge of giving up for a second time its efforts to secure Legco approval for a plan to adjust cross-harbour tunnels fees to even out the traffic using them.

On January 22, the administration pulled a non-binding motion on the plan scheduled for the following day, as it was clear lawmakers would vote it down.

Councillors across the political divide have complained that the fee increases proposed for the Cross Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing are too high, with the new HK$40 charge mooted for cars a rise of up to HK$20.

The higher tolls at those two tunnels would be accompanied by a reduction in charges at the underused Western Harbour Crossing.

Sources told RTHK that if enough lawmakers had not indicated their support for the plan by Tuesday afternoon, the vote scheduled for Wednesday would also be called off.

The DAB's Ben Chan, who head's Legco's transport panel, said the government would be wasting the council's time if it doesn't pull the motion.

"All Legislative Council members want to solve the unevenly distributed traffic in the three cross-harbour tunnels. However, the package suggested by the government is not acceptable," Chan said.

"If the government finds it is impossible to pass the motion, I think the government should save Legco its discussion time."

The transport panel's vice-chairman, Jeremy Tam from the Civic Party, agreed with Chan, saying nothing has changed since the motion was dropped last time.

"I actually see no value in putting this motion forward," Tam said.