Tunnel toll hike gets go-ahead

Tolls for vehicles jump by $2.

According to a release, the Chief Executive in Council approved the revised application for toll increases by the Tate's Cairn Tunnel Company, which are set to take effect on August 1.

Tolls for motorcycles will rise by $1, while those for all other vehicles will increase by $2.

The council said it considered all factors in making the decision, including the magnitude of toll increases, traffic implications, and public affordability and acceptability.

The Government expects the toll adjustments to divert about 500 vehicles to Lion Rock Tunnel, and no more than 100 to Tai Po Road and Route 8 between Cheung Sha Wan and Sha Tin per day.

The traffic impact of the proposed toll increases on the road system linking Sha Tin and Kowloon is unlikely to be significant and commuters have a choice of alternative routes as well as alternative transport modes, it said.

The Government will closely monitor the traffic situation before and after the toll increases, it added.