Reduced tolls and HKeToll at Tai Lam Tunnel after government takeover
發佈日期: 2025-05-31 19:50
TVB News
The government took over the Tai Lam Tunnel at midnight last night and reduced the tolls for all types of vehicles.
The tunnel was closed to traffic at 3 a.m. for the switchover from manual or Autotoll toll collection to the HKeToll system. It reopened after 5 a.m. with the HKeToll system in effect.
After the government's takeover of the Tai Lam Tunnel, traffic was light on the first day. With the launch of the HKeToll system and the time-varying tolls, the Transport Department said traffic flows in both directions were generally smooth.
This driver said the new tolls are cheaper, compared to at least a hundred dollars for return trips in the past. He added that the Tai Lam Tunnel provides an alternative to Tun Mun Road, which is usually congested.
The 3.8-kilometre tunnel, connecting Yuen Long and Ting Kau, was taken over by the government starting today.
At the stroke of midnight, the government took over the tunnel. From 3 a.m. to 5 a.m., it was closed for the switchover from manual or Autotoll toll collection to the HKeToll system.
The tunnel then reopened after 5 a.m. with the new toll collection system up and running. The toll gantries have been set up on the Yuen Long side of the tunnel.
Under the new tolls, private cars will be charged 18 dollars on public holidays, Sundays and during non-peak hours on weekdays, while the tolls for peak hours on weekdays will be lowered to 45 dollars and 30 dollars for normal time slots.
Taxis and other commercial vehicles will be charged a fixed toll on all days at 28 dollars and 43 dollars respectively.
The Transport Department estimates the new time-varying toll system can help alleviate Tun Mun Road's traffic flow by 5 percent.
Meanwhile, Ringo Lee, Honorary Life President of the Hong Kong China Automobile Association, believes Autotoll, which was rolled out in 1998, will be completely phased out soon.
He has reminded motorists to reclaim their 150-dollar deposit and the remaining value of their Autotoll account when they cancel the account.
