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Cross Harbour Tunnel toll fee for private cars
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Samuel Wong Ping-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council of the reasons why the toll of $5 per private car using the Cross Harbour Tunnel has remained unchanged since the date of its opening in 1972?
Reply:
Mr President,
Under Section 41(1) of the Cross Harbour Tunnel Ordinance (Cap. 203) the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Company Ltd may increase toll levels with the agreement of the Governor in Council. If such agreement cannot be reached then, under Section 41(2) of the Ordinance, the Company may submit its toll increase proposal to arbitration. In reaching a decision, the arbitrator will have regard to whether the tunnel franchise provides the company with reasonable remuneration.
In accordance with this procedure, the Company sought a toll increase in 1988. The application was rejected by the Governor in Council and the Company sought arbitration. The arbitrator subsequently ruled that a toll increase was not merited. The Company has not submitted any subsequent applications for toll adjustment.
The onus is on the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Company to apply for toll increases if it believes these can be justified under the terms of its franchise, as embodied in the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Ordinance.
End/Wednesday, June 28, 1995