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Starting from Thursday (April 1), the toll of Lion Rock Tunnel will be revised from $6 to $8 while the maximum fee of on-street parking meters will be adjusted gradually from $2 per 15 minutes to $4 per 15 minutes, a spokesman for the Transport Department said today (Tuesday).

The above revision is part of the revenue measures promulgated by the Financial Secretary in his Budget Speech on March 3.

He said: "While the $8 denomination tunnel toll pre-paid tickets for the new tunnel toll will be available by the end of April, the existing $6 denomination tunnel toll pre-paid tickets can still be used for payment of the new toll by adding $2 in cash.

"Signs will be placed at appropriate locations to advise motorists of the new toll," he added.

The daily utilisation of the tunnel is about 93,000 vehicles. The last toll increase of the tunnel from $3 to $6 took place in 1990.

As regards the increase of fee for parking meters, the spokesman said it would be implemented over a period of six months.

At present, about 82 per cent of the parking meters charge $2 per 15 minutes. The fee will be increased to $4 per 15 minutes.

The remaining 18 per cent of the parking meters charge below the maximum fee, at $2 per 30 minutes. The fee will be increased to $4 per 30 minutes.

To facilitate the adjustment of meters, the fee of the parking meters will be increased by phases as follows:

* from April 1: the parking meters in busy areas in Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Tsuen Wan

* from April 2: the public-holiday-operated parking meters on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon, Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun

* from April 7: the parking meters in the remaining districts in the territory except for Sai Kung, Tai Po and Sha Tin

The fee for the 1,800 mechanical parking meters in Sai Kung, Tai Po and Sha Tin will be increased before September this year when they are gradually replaced with electronic parking meters.

"Motorists are advised to read the notice of the new parking fee displayed on each individual parking meters before making payment," the spokesman said.

The last revision of the maximum fee of on-street metered parking spaces from $2 per 30 minutes to $2 per 15 minutes took place in 1994.

For inquiries about the arrangements for the increase of the parking meter fee, motorists may call the Tunnel and Parking Division of the Transport Department during office hours at 2829 5332 or the hotline of the parking meter management contractor, Hong Kong Parking Ltd, at 2318 0616.

End/Tuesday, March 30, 1999

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