Govt to withdraw franchise of Tai Lam Tunnel next year

The government will withdraw the franchise of the Tai Lam Tunnel in May next year.

Reports suggest that one proposed pricing scheme includes charges ranging from HK$20 to HK$45, depending on whether the time is off-peak, regular, or peak hours. Taxi fares would be standardized between HK$30 and HK$45.

Hon Chan, chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, expressed on a radio program today (July 8) that he hopes the authorities will reduce the fares once they withdraw the franchise of Tai Lam Tunnel. He believes this would help alleviate congestion on Tuen Mun Road.

Chan proposed that the differences in charges for different periods are not significant enough to guide traffic flow effectively. He suggested dividing the charges into only two periods, peak hours and off-peak hours, at HK$45 and HK$20, respectively.

Hence, he urged the rapid construction of Route 11 to aid in traffic diversion.