By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-04-02 17:41:28 | Updated at 2025-04-05 12:17:11
2 days ago
Hong Kong’s transport authorities will complete a review of tunnel tolls this year to establish appropriate fee levels, following years of multimillion-dollar losses, including a HK$52 million (US$6.68 million) deficit at the Shing Mun Tunnels.
In a written reply to the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said that the review was necessary because some tunnels had operated at a loss for years without toll adjustments, some for as long as 34 years.
“For example, the Aberdeen Tunnel and the Shing Mun Tunnels encountered operating deficits of HK$16 million and HK$52 million in 2023-24 respectively. In fact, the toll levels for the two tunnels have not been adjusted for 34 years,” she said.
“As the specific circumstances of each government tunnel and trunk road are different, such as geographical location, the target users and traffic management needs, the government needs to weigh various principles in order to set an appropriate toll level.”
According to government data, the Shing Mun Tunnels and Route 8K, which includes the Eagle’s Nest and Sha Tin Heights Tunnels, have experienced increasing losses.
The Shing Mun Tunnels saw a deficit of HK$26 million in 2021-22, HK$37 million in 2022-23, and HK$52 million in 2023-24. Route 8K’s losses escalated from HK$151 million in 2021-22 to HK$175 million in 2022-23 and HK$200 million in 2023-24.
The government forecasts that the Shing Mun Tunnels and the Aberdeen Tunnel will continue to post losses of HK$52 million and HK$21 million, respectively, this financial year. For Route 8K, the operating expenses for the year will be determined after the tender results are available.
