ENG-2003 — Page 297

TRANSPORT

$185. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $20 to $100.

The four-kilometre Tate's Cairn Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Hong Kong, was opened to traffic in 1991, providing an additional direct road link between the north- eastern New Territories and Kowloon. It was used by an average of 60 900 vehicles daily in 2003. Tolls ranged from $10 to $20.

The 3.8-kilometre Tai Lam Tunnel, together with the 6.3-kilometre Yuen Long Approach Road, forms the Route 3 (Country Park section), which extends from Ting Kau to Au Tau. Opened in May 1998, it was used by an average of 44 300 vehicles daily in 2003. Statutory tolls ranged from $20 to $90. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $17 to $75.

The 2.4-kilometre Discovery Bay Tunnel Link, which comprises a 630-metre single tube two-way tunnel and a 1 770-metre approach road, is operated and maintained by the Discovery Bay Road Tunnel Company Limited, which also built it. It extends. from Discovery Bay through Yi Pak Au to Cheung Tung Road. The tunnel link is only open to Discovery Bay residents' services and goods vehicles providing delivery of goods or a servicing function. Opened in May 2000, the tunnel link was used by an average of 700 vehicles daily in 2003. It has a one-way toll collection arrangement. The vehicles are charged a single journey toll when they enter Discovery Bay. The tolls ranged from $50 to $250.

The Government owns seven of the road tunnels (Lion Rock, Aberdeen, Airport, Shing Mun, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Tsing and Cross-Harbour) which are managed and operated by private companies under management contracts. Tolls are set and monitored by the Government. The use of the Airport Tunnel and the Cheung Tsing Tunnel is free of charge.

The 1.4-kilometre Lion Rock Tunnel, linking Kowloon and Sha Tin, began single- tube operation in 1967, with a second tube added in 1978. The tunnel was used by 88 000 vehicles daily in 2003. The toll was $8.

The 1.9-kilometre Aberdeen Tunnel, opened in 1982, links the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. It was used by 56 500 vehicles daily in 2003. The toll was $5.

The 1.3-kilometre toll-free Airport Tunnel between Hung Hom and Kowloon Bay passes under the former airport site at Kai Tak and was opened in 1982. It was used by 58 400 vehicles daily in 2003.

The 2.6-kilometre Shing Mun Tunnel between Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan was opened in 1990. A daily average of 53 000 vehicles paid a $5 toll in 2003.

The 900-metre Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in 1990, links Kowloon and the new town at Tseung Kwan O. It was used by 65 400 vehicles daily in 2003. The toll was $3. The 1.6-kilometre toll-free Cheung Tsing Tunnel was opened in 1997 and links Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi. It was used by 75 200 vehicles daily in 2003.

Existing Rail Network

Besides the network of road tunnels and highways, railways also form a vital part of Hong Kong's transport network. The rail system comprises a heavily utilised Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system, a dedicated express rail passenger service connecting the urban areas with the airport (the Airport Express Line (AEL)) and the Kowloon- Canton Railway (KCR) which includes the East Rail (ER), the West Rail (WR) and

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