Government Takes Over Tai Lam Tunnel, Reduces Tolls and Implements HKeToll Service Starting May 31

Government to take over Tai Lam Tunnel and substantially reduce its tolls on May 31, followed by HKeToll to be implemented from 5am (with photos/video)

The Transport Department (TD) today (May 28) announced that the Government will take over the Tai Lam Tunnel (TLT) at 0.00am on May 31 (this Saturday) and substantially reduce its tolls for all vehicle types upon the takeover, followed by the implementation of the HKeToll free-flow tolling service from 5am on the same day. Motorists and members of the public should take heed of relevant temporary traffic and transport arrangements.

New tolls for TLT

Starting from 0.00am on May 31, time-varying tolls will be applied to private cars and motorcycles at the TLT. Tolls for private cars in the peak, normal and off-peak time slots from Monday to Saturday will be $45, $30 and $18 respectively, with a fixed toll of $18 throughout the day for Sunday and general holidays. For motorcycles, their toll for all time slots is set at 40 per cent of the private car toll, i.e. between $7.2 and $18. Taxis and other commercial vehicles (such as goods vehicles and buses) will continue to have a fixed toll on all days: $28 for taxis and $43 for other commercial vehicles. Motorists may refer to the toll displays added at the TLT or the TD's HKeMobility mobile application for real-time toll information.

A spokesman for the TD said, "The Government devised the new tolls for the TLT according to four major principles, namely traffic management needs, 'user pays', public transport first and efficiency first. New tolls for all vehicle types will be lower than current tolls by 22 to 80 per cent. Among them, private cars will be charged $13 to $40 less in different time slots. Taxis will be charged $30 less. Commercial vehicles such as goods vehicles and buses will even be charged $21 to $170 less. New tolls will optimise the TLT's spare capacity while ensuring smooth tunnel flow and alleviating congestion on alternative routes, such as Tuen Mun Road, and promote the flow of people and goods between New Territories West/North and urban areas, thereby bringing benefits to the public at large and all sectors of the community. Upon the takeover of the TLT, the HKeToll will be implemented at all government-tolled tunnels, providing motorists with a smoother road experience."

At 0.00am on May 31, the TLT will briefly stop operation for about five minutes to facilitate the updating of toll collection facilities. Manual or Autotoll toll collection will temporarily remain until 3am. From 3am to 5am, the TLT will be fully closed for the switchover works, and it will reopen at 5am with the implementation of the HKeToll without having to stop or queue for payment.

The TD reminds motorists who have yet to apply for an HKeToll vehicle tag and account to do so as soon as possible. Of note, all toll tickets, promotion and coupons provided by the franchisee now will be terminated upon the expiry of its franchise. Further, disabled drivers will be temporarily required to show their letter issued by the TD to toll collectors from 0.00am to 3am on that day for toll exemption, while their identity will be automatically recognised by the HKeToll after its implementation.

Traffic and transport arrangements

Following the implementation of the HKeToll, all manual and Autotoll toll lanes will be cancelled. The urban bound of the toll plaza will be adjusted to three lanes, the same as the upstream road sections, whereas the Yuen Long bound will be adjusted to four lanes. Relevant departments will remove all toll booths and toll islands later and adjust the arrangement of traffic lanes.

To tie in with the launch of the HKeToll, temporary traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases in the vicinity of the TLT from 1am on May 31. From 1am to 3am, part of the lanes of the toll plaza and all slip roads to the TLT via Tsing Long Highway will be closed in phases. From 3am to 5am, the TLT and all slip road entrances will be fully closed, and motorists should opt for Tuen Mun Road:

Yuen Long entrances

Two lanes on the left of Yuen Long Highway northbound near Pok Oi Interchange to Tsing Long Highway will be closed. Motorists should keep to the right on Yuen Long Highway to the Fairview Park Boulevard Roundabout and turn around to Tuen Mun Road for the urban area;

Two lanes on the right of San Tin Highway southbound connecting to Tsing Long Highway will be closed. Motorists should turn left to Yuen Long Highway and Tuen Mun Road for the urban area;

The slip road of Kam Tin Road westbound connecting to Tsing Long Highway will be closed. Motorists should use Kam Tin Road, Yuen Long Highway and Tuen Mun Road for the urban area; and

The slip road of Pat Heung Road to the TLT toll plaza will be closed. Motorists should use Pat Heung Road and turn around to Route Twisk for the urban area.

Urban entrances

The three lanes on the right of Ting Kau Bridge northbound connecting to the TLT will be closed. Motorists should keep to the left to Tuen Mun Road for Yuen Long; and

The link road on the left of Tuen Mun Road westbound near Ting Kau Bridge to the TLT will be closed. Motorists should keep to the right of Tuen Mun Road for Yuen Long.

During the temporary closure of the TLT, the bus stops at the toll plaza will be temporarily suspended, affecting a total of three overnight bus routes: KMB Route Nos. N269 (Tin Tsz Estate - Mei Foo) and N368 (Yuen Long (West) - Central (Macau Ferry)) as well as Long Win Bus Route No. NA43 (Fanling (Luen Wo Hui) - Hong Kong Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Public Transport Interchange). They will be diverted via Yuen Long Highway and Tuen Mun Road, and temporary bus stops will be set up at the Tuen Mun Road Bus-Bus Interchange. The TD has informed the bus companies concerned of the arrangements, and passengers should refer to the notices issued by the operators for details.

Appeal

Motorists and members of the public are urged to pay heed to the above traffic and transport arrangements, plan their journeys in advance by using alternative routes such as Tuen Mun Road or Route Twisk, and allow sufficient travelling time.

The TD has stepped up publicity since May to introduce the implementation of new tolls and the HKeToll to motorists and the transport trades via TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, website (www.td.gov.hk), the Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk), the HKeMobility and HKeToll mobile applications, variable message signs on major roads, tunnel broadcasts, posters and leaflets in phases. Relevant departments will also put up adequate traffic signs and make road markings to remind motorists of the arrangements.

Relevant departments and the TD are well prepared for the takeover of the TLT, including the completion of the condition survey and inspection of tunnel facilities. In case of inclement weather or on-site conditions that prevent the necessary works from commencing or being completed as scheduled, the TD will make an announcement accordingly. Motorists and members of the public are advised to keep abreast of the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, the TD's website and the HKeMobility.

Government to take over Tai Lam Tunnel and substantially reduce its tolls on May 31, followed by HKeToll to be implemented from 5am (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government to take over Tai Lam Tunnel and substantially reduce its tolls on May 31, followed by HKeToll to be implemented from 5am (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Notice on appointments to advisory and statutory bodies

A Government spokesman said today (January 12) that Mr Chan Kin-por recently sought approval from the Chief Executive to suspend his three public positions as appointed by the Chief Executive, until the completion of the work of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Independent Committee). Mr Chan made this request to allow himself more time to dedicate to the work of the Independent Committee. After due consideration, the Chief Executive has agreed to and approved this request. The three public positions are: (1) Chairman of Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee on Corruption; (2) Non-executive Director of Urban Renewal Authority Board; and (3) Member of Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.

On December 12, 2025, the Government established the Independent Committee to examine the causes of the incident and related issues, ascertain the facts, and make recommendations on preventing similar tragedies and on improvement measures. The Independent Committee is chaired by Mr Justice David Lok, with Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen serving as members. The Independent Committee held its first meeting on December 19 last year and aims to complete its work within nine months of commencing operations.

Mr Chan Kin-por wrote earlier to the Chief Executive, expressing his wish to suspend the aforementioned three public positions until the Independent Committee completes its work, in order to dedicate more time and focus to the Independent Committee's tasks. The Chief Executive has agreed to and approved the request.

A Government spokesperson said that since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, both the Government and the wider community have been highly concerned about the causes of the incident and the follow-up work. The scope of the Independent Committee's work is extensive, particularly concerning systemic issues related to bid-rigging and connected interests. Given the numerous issues involved and their complex nature, the Government will fully co-operate with the Independent Committee to ensure that it can complete its work and compile its report within nine months. The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Chan for accepting the appointment as a member of the Independent Committee and for his professional and conscientious approach to the Committee's work. When the Independent Committee's work is completed, the Government looks forward to Mr Chan's continuous contribution through his aforementioned public positions.

Source: AI-found images