HK$8 toll confirmed for Central Kowloon Bypass

The government said on Wednesday that a flat HK$8 toll will apply to all vehicles using the Central Kowloon Bypass starting on December 6, when all sections of the mega project open. A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said authorities had considered public affordability when setting the toll. "It is expected to recover part of the operating costs while achieving the intended traffic diversion effect, thereby alleviating traffic on major roads in Kowloon," the spokesperson said. "The government has been actively launching publicity campaigns to help the public to fully grasp the toll arrangement, with a view to ensuring the smooth implementation of the new toll arrangement." The full bypass comprises the already-commissioned Yau Ma Tei section and the Kowloon Bay section, which will open to traffic on December 6. Together with the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel, the bypass forms Route 6, linking Tseung Kwan O with Kowloon East and Kowloon West and cutting peak-hour travel time from about 65 minutes to just 12 minutes. Edited by Raymond Yeung