The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     Members of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) were briefed today (November 30) on the preliminary findings of the Government's study on the rationalisation of traffic distribution among the three road harbour crossings (RHCs) (viz the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the Eastern Harbour Crossing and the Western Harbour Crossing) and the three land tunnels between Kowloon and Sha Tin (viz the Lion Rock Tunnel, the Tate's Cairn Tunnel and the Eagle's Nest and Sha Tin Heights Tunnel), and the proposed next steps for the study.

     The TAC Chairman, Mr Larry Kwok, said "Members noted that the Transport Department had commenced a study on the rationalisation of traffic distribution of the three RHCs and the three land tunnels in a holistic manner, with a view to formulating various proposals to influence the choice of motorists through raising and lowering the tolls of different tunnels in order to rationalise traffic distribution among the six tunnels."

     Members also noted the Government's proposed framework for toll adjustment options. "In view of the existing traffic conditions of the tunnels, and that the preliminary findings of the study show that toll adjustment suggestions raised by the community in the past are not in the overall interest of the community, Members agree that the Government should explore and develop with stakeholders specific toll adjustment options under the proposed framework which could meet public aspirations and achieve traffic rationalisation among the six tunnels," Mr Kwok said.

     "Apart from looking into rationalising traffic distribution through appropriate increases and decreases of tolls of various tunnels, Members support the Government to adopt a multi-pronged approach in tackling road traffic congestion, and to continue to pursue progressively the series of short-, medium- and long-term measures recommended by the TAC on easing the problem of road traffic congestion, including measures to control the overall growth of vehicle fleet size," he continued.

     Taking into account the views of Members and other stakeholders on the proposed framework, the Government will formulate different toll adjustment options and further assess the impact of the proposals on tunnel traffic and the community as a whole. The Government will further consult the TAC and the Legislative Council Panel on Transport on the specific toll adjustment proposals in mid-2018.
 

Ends/Thursday, November 30, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:30

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