Affordability 'to factor in user-pays tolls review'
John Lee says the government will also look at implementing tolls for new trunk roads such as the upcoming Central Kowloon Route. Photo: RTHK
The SAR chief executive said on Tuesday the government will adopt the user-pays principle but take into consideration the issue of public affordability in its review of tunnel tolls.
John Lee said ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting that review priority would be on those tunnels for which tolls have remained unchanged for years.
It would also look at new trunk roads and tunnels, such as the Central Kowloon Route that is expected to be completed by the end of the year in coming up with appropriate charges.
"There's a need to have charges for particularly major tunnels and trunk roads because there is a need for traffic management and charges will help in managing the traffic flow," he said.
"It will also help to ensure that public transport will be given priority in the use of roads ... and there will be a maximum efficiency as a result of good traffic management."
Lee pointed to the large amounts of money spent on constructing and managing tunnels and trunk roads for their toll on public coffers.
With the government having taken over Tai Lam Tunnel on Saturday, HKeToll has now been implemented at all government-owned tunnels.
The electronic toll collection system, Lee said, allows the adoption of time-varying toll system that enhances traffic enforcement.
The plan to review tolls was first unveiled by the financial secretary in his budget blueprint in February.
The government hopes the review on tunnel fees, along with the fixed penalties for traffic-related offences and various fees will increase its revenue by HK$2 billion annually.
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