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Traffic distribution among RHCs - Latest work plan
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     In view of the latest traffic situations at the Cross Harbour Tunnel (CHT) and the Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC), and having regard to the views of the public and concerns of the relevant districts, the Government has decided to put in abeyance the implementation of the toll adjustment trial scheme, the Transport and Housing Bureau announced today (February 18).

     Last year, the bureau put forward three toll adjustment options involving different degrees of toll reduction at the EHC and toll increase at the CHT (toll adjustment options) for public consultation, one of which proposed no change to the tolls of public transport vehicles.

     "We received 106 submissions during the public consultation, and consulted various stakeholders. As it transpired from the public consultation, rationalising traffic flow among road harbour crossing (RHCs) through toll adjustment is a direction acceptable to the community in general.  Nonetheless, views received on the three adjustment options proposed by the Government were diverse and there was no clear indication of support for any option. Meanwhile, quite a number of respondents were concerned about the capacity of the EHC and its nearby roads to absorb additional traffic diverted under the toll adjustment options and whether the traffic diverted to the EHC would cause congestion in their districts," a spokesman for the bureau said.

     The spokesman continued: "In view of the public concern and the changing traffic condition, we have re-assessed the latest traffic flow, results of which show that the EHC's daily average traffic throughput increased to about 72 000 vehicles in 2013.  Under the toll adjustment options, the traffic diverted from the CHT to the EHC could reach up to 5 000 vehicles. The throughput of the EHC would then increase to 77 000 vehicles, which will be quite close to its design capacity of 78 000 vehicles.

     "On the other hand, the latest traffic throughput at the CHT in 2013 dropped more than 3 000 vehicles per day as compared to 2011. It is estimated that some of the vehicles using the CHT might have switched to either the EHC or the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC)."

     Having full regard to the latest traffic situations at the CHT and the EHC, the views of the public and concerns of the relevant districts, the Government has decided to put in abeyance the implementation of the toll adjustment trial scheme.  

     "The Government will continue to work on the rationalisation of traffic distribution among the three RHCs to alleviate congestion.  The Government initially considers that the commissioning of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass (CWB) in 2017 would be an opportune time because the CWB will help ease the congestion of the connecting roads of the WHC. The Government could then consider toll adjustment at the WHC when we draw up the overall scheme to rationalise the traffic distribution among RHCs.  The EHC's ownership will also be transferred to the Government in 2016. The condition will become more conducive to formulating a more comprehensive strategy by the Government to rationalise the traffic distribution among the three RHCs with greater effect," the spokesman added.

     "From now to 2017, we will continue to closely monitor the traffic situation at the three RHCs and their neighbouring areas, and implement further traffic management measures when necessary."

     The spokesman pointed out that to alleviate road congestion, apart from pursuing the rationalisation of traffic distribution among the three RHCs, the Government should also consider further enhancing Hong Kong mass transport system (including railway and franchised bus network) and other public transport ancillary facilities, studying the trial implementation of electronic road pricing in Central, fostering a pedestrian-friendly environment, as well as facilitating the use of bicycle as a transport mode in new towns and new development areas.  The Transport and Housing Bureau will also work on a review on the long term public transport planning and development and will make announcements as and when ready.

Ends/Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 23:26

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