Toll charges may be applied to Central Kowloon Route
發佈日期: 2025-06-03 20:55
TVB News
Chief Executive John Lee said charges on major roads and tunnels are helpful in managing traffic flow. Lee also said that public affordability will be taken into account when the government formulates toll charges.
This came as the government plans to implement toll charges on Central Kowloon Route, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The Central Kowloon Route project began in 2017. After eight years of construction and a cost of about 42 billion dollars, the project will be completed by the end of this year.
With a total length of 4.7 kilometres, the Central Kowloon Route connects Yau Ma Tei Interchange of West Kowloon and Kowloon Bay's road network.
Once the route is operational, authorities expect the travelling time between West and East Kowloon during peak hours will be shortened to roughly five minutes compared to a journey time of 30 minutes without the carriageway.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan earlier said that the government plans to set up toll charges on the route.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said toll charges are important in many aspects, including the user-pays principle.
Chief Executive John Lee:"A lot of money has been spent on building and also managing the different tunnels and trunk roads.
There is a need to have charges for, particularly major tunnels and trunk roads, because there is a need for traffic management. The public affordability will be taken into consideration."
Lawmaker Michael Tien said tolls on Central Kowloon Route would be necessary. But he stressed that road users must be provided with a choice.
Michael Tien:"If you use it, you have to pay. Now, our position is very simple: they should not charge any toll for any kind of infrastructure, transport and connection, where there is no alternative route. Otherwise, you'll make it compulsory; you are like charging a toll tax on the number of residents living in that area."
Tien says the government should implement a toll at a level which will be accepted by a large number of road users to prevent the route from being a "white elephant" project.
