The government's non-stop toll payment system will be introduced next year. 262 tunnel toll collectors are replaced and their livelihoods are affected

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Written by: Huang Weilun

2021-05-26 18:43

The last update date: 2021-05-26 18:43

The Hong Kong Government plans to introduce a non-stop toll payment system in government tunnels to replace manual toll payment. Some Members are concerned that the livelihoods of tunnel employees will be affected.

The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Chen Fan, said in a written reply to Members’ questions today (26) that in the next two or three years, 262 toll collectors are expected to be affected, of which the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel will be the most affected, involving 52 people.

Chen Fan said that operators are encouraged to assist affected employees in changing positions, such as providing driving test fees or training to help them change jobs as traffic supervisors.

The cost of the fee discount is about 60 to 70 yuan, and the useful life is estimated to be 7 years.

(Picture of Legislative Council Document)

Lu Songxiong, a member of the Legislative Council of the Federation of Trade Unions, asked the government and related companies to protect the rights and interests of employees.

The number of toll collectors affected by each tunnel/control area (data from the Transport and Housing Bureau)

Chen Fan responded in writing that he plans to implement a non-stop toll payment system in government toll tunnels and Tsing Sha Control Area starting from the end of 2022. By then, toll collectors will not be required to collect tolls.

According to current preliminary estimates, a total of 262 toll collectors are expected to be affected, the largest being the CHT, involving 52 people; 48 people are expected to be affected in the Lion Rock Tunnel.

In addition to toll collectors, Chen Fan said that some positions such as assistant operations director, operations team leader, administrative and auxiliary staff, and technicians will no longer need to take care of the work related to the collection of tolls after the implementation of the non-stop toll payment system.

He continued that the Transport Department has been encouraging operators to assist their toll collectors and affected employees to transfer jobs, such as providing driving test fees or training to help transfer to traffic supervisors.

Chen Fan said that if the toll collector has met the requirements of the Transport Department, completed a 24-day training course, and obtained the qualifications of other traffic supervisors, the transfer toll collector will be considered for exempting some of the entry requirements for traffic supervisors, if one year of related work is required Experience etc.

(Picture of Legislative Council Document)

When considering tendering, the government requires bidders to hire existing tunnel employees

Chen Fan also pointed out that when implementing the non-stop toll payment system, new service providers need experienced personnel to assist in operating the system and handling related tasks. The government will consider when toll service providers bid for tenders. Those who join bidders must recruit current tunnel employees. .

He said that if the employment contract of an individual employee needs to be terminated, the Department will ensure that the operator pays all the employees' due dismissal compensation in accordance with the "Employment Ordinance" (Chapter 57) and the terms of the management contract.

Electric light bus pilot project expected to start in 2023

In addition to the non-stop payment system, the government has also promoted electric vehicles, including electric minibuses, in recent years.

The Secretary for the Environment, Wong Kam-sing, stated in the Legislative Council that the government has set aside 80 million to subsidize about 40 electric light buses and charging facilities to promote an electric public light bus pilot project.

He said that the plan is expected to start in 2023, and there will be a 12-month trial of different routes, and then review and draw up a road map.

The government previously planned to install a fast charging facility for minibuses at the public transport interchange in the Kwun Tong City Centre, which was opened in recent months.

Huang Jinxing stated that the Environmental Protection Department issued an announcement in October 2020, inviting contractors to install charging facilities at their own expense. The terms include charging charges at a level acceptable to the industry. At that time, five proposals were received, but after review, none of them Meet the prescribed requirements.

The department has already issued another invitation on March 22 and received a total of 4 proposals, which are now under review.

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The details of the tunnel will be released without stopping to pay the toll. It is planned to be the first to be launched by the end of 2022

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Electronic Road Tolling Transport and Housing Bureau Minibus