TAC briefed on proposed principles of congestion charging and takeover arrangements of Western Harbour Crossing as well as e-licensing initiatives of Transport Department
******************************************************************************************
The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (July 6) on the proposed principles of congestion charging at road harbour crossings (RHCs) and takeover arrangements of the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC), as well as the e-licensing initiatives of the Transport Department (TD).
The Government will take over the WHC on August 2, 2023, and will gradually roll out the Free Flow Tolling System at government tolled tunnels and the Tsing Sha Control Area starting from end-2022. This presents an opportunity for the Government to holistically consider the tolls of all RHCs having regard to the overall cross-harbour traffic situation. To this end, the Government proposes introducing congestion charging for more comprehensive traffic management of the RHCs.
The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "Members welcomed the proposed introduction of congestion charging in a bid to help alleviate the long-standing cross-harbour traffic congestion issue. Members generally supported the proposed principles of congestion charging, namely charging different toll levels at different periods, minimising the impact on non-cross-harbour traffic, discouraging detours, and promoting 'Efficiency First'. In addition, Members noted the proposed takeover arrangements of the WHC. The TAC will give further advice to the Government when the proposed toll plan of congestion charging is put forward for consultation in the fourth quarter of this year."
On a separate note, the TD is now taking forward a number of e-licensing initiatives and related enhancement measures to streamline procedures, including upgrading and extending online services; implementing the electronic form of permits (ePermits), the electronic vehicle licence (eVL) and the electronic driving licence (eDL); improving the vehicle registration and licensing system in relation to owners' responsibility for proper vehicle disposal; and launching a trial queue ticketing system at the TD's Licensing Offices. The TD also plans to take measures to streamline the supporting documents required when submitting a vehicle licence renewal application, thereby paving way for full automation of the processing procedures. The objective of the above initiatives is to further enhance operational efficiency and bring convenience to the public.
The Government will submit relevant legislative amendment proposals to the Legislative Council in due course. After completion of the necessary and progressive system enhancements, the TD expects to implement ePermits starting from the fourth quarter of this year, the eVL in 2023, and the eDL and improvement to the vehicle registration and licensing system in 2024.
Professor Cheung said, "Members supported the TD in streamlining procedures and implementing e-initiatives for better licence management through innovative measures, and welcomed the TD's continued improvements to licensing services."
Ends/Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
NNNN