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The franchisee of Route 3 (Country Park Section) (Route 3) today (December 23) announced that it would raise statutory and concessionary tolls on Sunday (December 28).
"We have urged the franchisee to have due regard to public affordability and acceptability in devising its tolling strategy," a government spokesman said. "Under the toll adjustment mechanism in the relevant ordinance, however, the franchisee is entitled to effect a statutory toll increase as its actual net revenue has fallen short of the estimated level specified in the ordinance and also has the discretion to decide on the level of concessions to be offered," he said.
The Tai Lam Tunnel and Yuen Long Approach Road Ordinance (Cap.474) provides for a specified toll adjustment mechanism for Route 3. The franchisee has recently notified the Government of its decision to exercise its right to effect a statutory toll increase. The new statutory tolls will be gazetted tomorrow and will take effect on December 28. At the same time, the franchisee will also adjust its existing concessions thereby increasing actual toll levels.
The existing and new tolls are at the Annex.
Ends/Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:31
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