The Government welcomed the passage of the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) Bill 2023 by the Legislative Council today, saying it enables a major step forward in rationalising cross-harbour traffic.

In addition to facilitating the Government's takeover of the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC) on August 2, the bill introduces an all-day fixed toll plan for private cars using any of the three road-harbour crossings that will come into effect on the same day.

The toll for private cars using the WHC will be reduced by 20% to $60, while the toll for private cars using the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing will be adjusted to $30. Taxi tolls for the three tunnels will be standardised at an all-day rate of $25.

Additionally, the bill provides for a time-varying toll scheme for private cars and motorcycles, planned for implementation at the three road-harbour crossings later this year.

The toll for private cars will be set at between $20 and $60 and that for motorcycles at between $8 and $24. The cross-harbour taxi toll will remain at $25 at the day, while other commercial vehicles including goods vehicles and buses will be charged an all-day toll of $50.

The provisions concerning the time-varying tolls will come into effect on a day to be specified by Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung.

The transport chief said: “The Government's proposed toll plans for the three road-harbour crossings are scientifically based, well deliberated and balanced, and have positively responded to the views of members of the Legislative Council, the transport trades and the public, after numerous rounds of studies and discussions. 

“The toll plans will help alleviate cross-harbour traffic congestion, and bring benefits to private car motorists, the public transport trades, the commercial vehicle trades, cross-harbour bus passengers and the community as a whole."