Taxi passengers won’t benefit from Hong Kong’s 50% reduction in tunnel tolls

Hong Kong Taxi passengers will still have to pay full tunnel tolls despite Government relief measures that cut the fee for Commercial Vehicles by half, transport authorities have said.The Transport and Logistics Bureau said on Friday that the relief measure, contained in a package to support the transport sector as oil prices rise, was aimed at helping commercial vehicle drivers and operators.For two months, the Government will reduce tunnel tolls by 50 per cent for all Commercial Vehicles, including taxis. The lost revenue is estimated to amount to HK$160 million (US$20.4 million).“Currently, the law stipulates the fares and surcharges that Taxi passengers must pay, including tunnel tolls for using various tunnels,” the bureau said.“The law will not be revised in the wake of the two-month temporary [toll reduction] measure … In other words, during the two-month measure, Taxi passengers will still be required to pay the tunnel surcharge as stated in the current law.“The 50 per cent discount is for supporting the Taxi drivers.”The bureau added that it would step up publicity to make sure passengers and Taxi drivers were fully aware of the arrangements before implementation.No time frame has been given for rolling out the measure. The Government has said it will work with toll service providers to adjust the collection systems.Lawmakers on Friday also approved the Government’s HK$1.8 billion scheme to provide a subsidy of HK$3 per litre of diesel for two months to support public and Commercial Vehicles and vessels. Private cars are not covered.Further Reading