Hong Kong lawmakers have suggested additional measures such as capping the duration a vehicle can occupy a metered lot and implementing progressive fees, following a slew of recent government proposals to adjust traffic-related charges, including doubling parking rates.
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Ben Chan Han-pan, a member of the Legislative Council’s transport panel, said on Thursday he welcomed the proposed parking fee hikes, noting that despite the 100 per cent increase in meter rates, the new charges at public lots remained lower than most commercial car parks.
He deemed the increase “acceptable”, particularly given the exemption for commercial vehicles, which face severe parking shortages.
The government on Wednesday announced proposals to adjust four traffic-related fees, including toll price hikes from HK$5 (64 US cents) to HK$8 at the Aberdeen Tunnel and Shing Mun Tunnels. It also proposed a HK$8 toll for the Yau Ma Tei tunnel section of the Central Kowloon Bypass, which is expected to open by the end of the year.
There were also suggested changes to the licence fee structure and amounts for electric private cars, adjustments to fixed penalties for traffic offences, and doubling parking meter charges from HK$2 to HK$4 per 15 minutes.
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Speaking on a radio show on Thursday, Chan highlighted the persistent issue of parking meter abuse, saying some drivers occupied lots for extended periods – sometimes for days – by continuously feeding the meter. Authorities may need to do more than raise fees to deter the practice, he said.
“Parking meters are generally for people to quickly park, perhaps use the restroom, buy a few things, and then leave. They’re for short-term use,” Chan said.