OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s three “cross-harbour” tunnels have greatly differing tunnel tolls, resulting in predictable congestion at the cheapest tunnel.
SOLUTION: Take cost avoidance out of the equation and equalize the tolls for all three tunnels and allow traffic to redistribute itself into the most efficient travel patterns.
The three cross-harbour tunnels snaking beneath Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour are currently priced at differing levels, with the Western Harbour Crossing costing 3-4 times more than the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Crossing. Each tunnel has differing ownership and operator structures, and at least one has been accused of incrementally increasing tolls each year despite enjoying record profits.
The Cross-Harbour Tunnel opened in 1972 and is owned / operated by the HKSAR Government / Serco Group (HK) Limited; similarly the 1989 Eastern Harbour Crossing is owned / operated by the HKSAR Government / Pacific Infrastructure Limited. The newest 1997 Western Harbour Crossing is owned / operated by the Western Harbour Tunnel Company.
- What if the Government could restructure the operations of all three tunnels and strike a profit-sharing agreement with each tunnel operator and equalize the tolls across all three critical links connecting Hong Kong Island with Kowloon?
- To what extent could this reduce cross-harbour vehicle travel times and reduce the amount of vehicular pollutants that are emitted into our already filthy air?
- How much time could be saved for commuters if large portions of private vehicles and taxis could be redistributed to the Eastern and Western Crossings when the cost differential is taken out of the equation?
- What if motorcycle riders were exempted from tunnel tolls, or at least outfitted with autopay readers on their helmets to ensure smooth traffic flow?
Why not do a trial run for one year and see what happens?
For a long-term solution to Hong Kong’s transportation ills, some of suggested taking the Western Harbour Crossing, MTR and all bus companies into public ownership. Could this be the way forward?