Western Harbour Crossing Fees To Rise This Weekend

It will cost more to drive through the Western Harbour Tunnel from Sunday, as discounts offered by the operator are scaled back.

Fees will go up by HK$5 for private cars, taxis, minibuses and vans.

Car drivers will have to pay HK$70 to use the tunnel, compared to HK$25 for the Eastern Harbour Crossing and HK$20 for the Cross Harbour Tunnel.

The private operator of the Western Harbour Tunnel said in a Legco document that it needs to reduce the concessions it offers because of rising costs.

Tolls for buses will also increase, but those for motorbikes will stay at HK$25.

The operator doesn't need to get the government's approval to put up its fees as the gazetted tolls are already much higher.

Last year, the government suggested it could subsidise tolls for the Western Harbour Crossing while increasing the fees at the other two between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, in a bid to cut traffic congestion.