Time-varying tolls to be implemented at three road harbour crossings from 5am on December 10
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The Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 (Amendment Ordinance) was enacted in July this year, which includes various provisions relating to the charging of different tolls at the three RHCs for different time slots. The objective is to change the commuting pattern of motorists by adjusting the toll levels of the three RHCs according to the time slots, so as to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "The operation of the RHCs has been generally normal since the Government's gradual implementation of the HKeToll at the three RHCs in the middle of this year, and the first step of adjusting the toll levels of the three RHCs, i.e. the '633' fixed toll plan, which came into effect on August 2. Cross-harbour traffic has continued to increase in recent months and has largely returned to the pre-pandemic level. We expect the cross-harbour traffic to continue to increase with the further resumption of social and economic activities. We are preparing for early implementation of the second phase of time-varying tolls at the RHCs in accordance with the Amendment Ordinance with a view to suppressing and diverting the cross-harbour traffic during the peak hours. We expect that with the implementation of time-varying tolls, the traffic diversion effect at the three RHCs will be more obvious than that of the existing '633' fixed toll plan."
The Commencement Notice will be published in the Gazette on October 13 and tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on October 18.
Details of the implementation of the time-varying tolls are set out in the Annex. The tolls for private cars and motorcycles will vary according to the time slots. From Mondays to Saturdays (excluding general holidays), the tolls for private cars using the WHC range from $20 to $60 while those using the CHT and the EHC range from $20 to $40; the tolls for motorcycles (including motor tricycles) using the WHC range from $8 to $24, while those using the CHT and the EHC range from $8 to $16. During general holidays, the tolls of the three RHCs range from $20 to $25 for private cars and from $8 to $10 for motorcycles, depending on the time of the day. Transition charging arrangements will be put in place between different time slots to ensure orderly bridging and to safeguard road safety. As for other types of vehicles, the tolls will remain fixed and flat, with the cross-harbour taxis using the three RHCs being charged $25 throughout the day, while other commercial vehicles, including goods vehicles and buses being charged $50 throughout the day. Members of the public will be able to obtain real-time toll information through various channels, including the Transport Department's HKeMobility mobile application and website, as well as the toll information displays newly set up in the RHCs. In addition, motorists can check the toll payable/paid via the HKeToll mobile application and website.
For details of the time-varying tolls, please visit the Transport Department's website: www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/tunnels_and_bridges_n/tvt/index.html.
Ends/Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:24
Issued at HKT 17:24
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