The Tai Lam Tunnel in Hong Kong’s New Territories has seen a 10 per cent increase in traffic on its first day of operations after authorities took control and introduced cheaper fees.
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Mable Chan, Secretary of Transport and Logistics, said on Monday that the government would also review the pricing at the Aberdeen and Shing Mun Tunnels as the electronic toll payment system across the city was completed.
The government took control of Tai Lam Tunnel, which connects Yuen Long with western Tsuen Wan, in the early hours of Saturday after a 30-year franchise ended.
Chan said traffic had increased by 10 per cent between midnight and 6am on Monday as she inspected the situation at the site in the morning, the first day of operations after the government’s takeover of the tunnel.
She also revealed that the traffic flow on June 1 increased by 40 per cent compared to previous Sundays.
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Chan attributed the rise to the “significant drop” in toll fees for private vehicles from HK$58 (US$7.40) to a fixed toll of HK$18 throughout the day on Sundays and general holidays