Urge to scrap proposed toll fee for Hong Kong's imminent Central Kowloon Bypass
News Article: Central Kowloon Bypass Toll Sparks Debate Among Lawmakers
The upcoming Central Kowloon Bypass, a 4.7-kilometer road connecting Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay, has been designed to alleviate traffic congestion on major trunk roads in Kowloon, particularly addressing the traffic jam issues caused by the Cross-Harbour Tunnel that impacted the area near Gascoigne Road [1]. The bypass, which is mostly underground, is expected to provide a quicker, more fuel-efficient route for motorists, helping to save time and fuel.
However, the proposed toll for the Yau Ma Tei tunnel section of the bypass has become a hot topic of debate. The Hong Kong government has proposed an HK$8 toll for this section, a move that has been met with dissatisfaction from some lawmakers who advocate for a lower toll, around HK$5, to boost the bypass's usage and better manage congestion in surrounding areas [1].
Fellow legislator Kitson Yang Wing-kit expressed his dissatisfaction with the HK$8 toll, suggesting that differential toll pricing could be a more effective solution [1]. Lawmaker Chau Siu-chung, on the other hand, has proposed a toll of HK$5 for the Central Kowloon Bypass [1].
Liu Chun-san, Undersecretary for Transport and Logistics, has warned that cheaper tolls could mean the government might not be able to recoup most of the costs of operating the bypass [1]. In support of this, the government has also proposed increasing several traffic-related fees, including raising tolls at the Aberdeen Tunnel and Shing Mun Tunnels from HK$5 to HK$8 [1].
The Yau Ma Tei tunnel section of the Central Kowloon Bypass is expected to open by the end of the year, and the ongoing debate reflects the challenge of balancing traffic management objectives with financial sustainability [1]. Yang, the lawmaker who initially proposed the Central Kowloon Bypass, called for the government to consider the project's long-term benefits, including reducing congestion and improving the overall transportation infrastructure in Kowloon [1].
[1] Based on information from South China Morning Post, SCMP.com, and Hong Kong Free Press.
The ongoing debate among lawmakers about the proposed HK$8 toll for the Yau Ma Tei tunnel section of the Central Kowloon Bypass emphasizes the need to strike a balance between financial sustainability and boosting the usage of the infrastructure, which is crucial for the transportation industry and the overall business environment in Kowloon. Differential toll pricing, like suggesting a lower toll of HK$5, could potentially encourage more finance-conscious motorists to use the bypass, thereby addressing traffic congestion issues in the area and benefiting the transportation sector.
