Knowing when to hit the brakes

The problem of the cross harbor tunnels hasn't diminished over all these years.

I can only wonder why the government is so reluctant to come up with an ironclad solution once and for all.

The problem with the debt-ridden Western Harbour Tunnel - it's underused - has been there since it opened in 1997.

It doesn't take much imagination to determine what needs to be done: standardize the tolls at all three crossings.

However, the government lacks the political will to do so and, instead, has allowed the Western Harbour Tunnel to jack up its toll for private cars to HK$50 from HK$45, and for taxis to HK$45 from HK$40, effective yesterday.

The hikes will certainly add more traffic pressure to the other two tunnels - the Cross Harbour and Eastern Harbour Crossing. It will also pose a burden for the infrastructure specially designed to link the northwest New Territories - such as Route 8, a trunk road linking Lantau and Sha Tin. This trunk road also connects to the west with the Tsing Ma Bridge and Ting Kau Bridge.

It will further affect the integration of the western part of Hong Kong with Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Guangzhou through Shenzhen Bay.

Yes, the tunnel cost HK$7 billion to build, and the company had outstanding debts of HK$2.6 billion as of December 31. The firm estimates it needs annual net revenues of HK$200 million for the remaining 13 years of its franchise to repay the debt.

The hard question is where to strike a balance. To me, the only solution is for the government to buy back the Western and Eastern Harbour crossings.

Meanwhile, another issue that needs addressing is the fare increase proposed by Kowloon Motor Bus - the second in two years. In June 2008, fares were boosted by 4.5 percent.

This time, KMB and Long Wan Bus have applied for respective fare rises of 8.6 and 7.4 percent. This will mean an average of 52 to 85 HK cents more per trip when the increases take effect on January 1. The proposed hikes have, obviously, drawn intense criticism from people across the political spectrum.

They deserve to be condemned - particularly KMB for failing to play by the rules. Instead of seeking what is allowed under the fare-adjustment mechanism, it has applied for a massive 8.6 percent.

In March, the government announced that according to the mechanism, with an improved economy, fare increase at 1.25 percent was possible. While KMB did not apply for a fare rise in March, it now proposes a hike that greatly exceeds the government's benchmark.

The inflation rate in June was 2.8 percent. Even if the fare increase sought is cut in half to 4.3 percent, it would still greatly exceed the inflation rate.

In this case, the government ought to take action to prevent unreasonable jumps in transportation costs for millions of commuters.

KMB cited high international oil prices as a main reason for the fare increase. But the oil prices in 2008, when KMB last proposed a fare hike, were near the peak of US$140 (HK$1,092) per barrel. The current oil price of US$78.50 for one-month delivery is nowhere close, so citing high oil prices is a rather weak argument.

The government's ability to keep transportation more affordable for the general public will be put to test in screening the application.

The ball is firmly in the government's court.

英文虎報
Central Station | By Mary Ma