Traffic jams of over 10 kilometers stretched from Hong Kong International Airport and the city on the first working day after the government put a new toll system in place.
The Transport Department implemented a new two-way toll system at the Lantau Link Main Toll Plaza and the Ma Wan Toll Plaza yesterday to prepare for the soon-to-open Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, according to a government statement.
As a result, Tsing Ma Bridge was hit by severe traffic during rush hour this morning, with vehicles heading towards the airport stuck in jams which reached as far as Ting Kau Bridge, Tuen Mun Road, and Tai Lam Tunnel at peak congestion. All three are roughly 10 kilometers away from the Lantau Link Toll Plaza.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Uber increased its base fares in Hong Kong by up to 80 percent and introduced a mandatory booking fee, effective today.
Despite a massive outcry from angry citizens and lawmakers, the Transport Department has refused to budge on the two-way tolling system. To ease traffic, the department has agreed to open two more toll booths during peak hours (which, frankly, should have been the original plan all along) and is simply recommending that those traveling to the airport seek other methods of transport.
Sorry, did we say other methods? We meant the only other method — a.k.a. the Airport Express, which costs HKD65-115 for a single trip. Happy Monday, everybody.
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