HK tunnel tolls may be adjusted after traffic exceeds pre-reform peak

Hong Kong's Transport Department has signaled that tolls at the three cross-harbour tunnels may need to be adjusted in the future after traffic volumes surpassed pre-reform peaks. The time-varying toll scheme, introduced 2.5 years ago, initially helped reduce congestion during peak hours. However, a paper submitted to the Legislative Council reveals that total traffic across all three crossings has now exceeded the highest levels recorded before the reform. While overall conditions remain better than before, queues during certain peak periods still spill onto connecting roads and non-tunnel lanes, undermining the scheme's effectiveness.

The department also highlighted that the behavioral impact of the initial toll levels is expected to gradually diminish due to economic growth and inflation. As incomes rise and the real cost of tolls falls, drivers may become less sensitive to price signals, reducing the scheme's ability to manage demand. The paper recommends keeping tolls flexible to respond to changing conditions. Any future adjustments would aim to maintain efficient traffic flow across the harbour crossings while minimizing spillover congestion on local roads. The government will continue to monitor traffic patterns and may propose revised toll structures as needed.