Vehicle owner ordered to pay over $170,000 after failing to settle multiple toll payments

The Transport Department (TD) said today (April 5) that a vehicle owner was ordered by the Magistrate earlier to pay over $170,000 for all outstanding amounts (including tolls, an initial surcharge of $175 and a further surcharge of $350), penalties and costs of proceedings after failing to settle 146 toll payments. The Magistrate has also given a direction to the TD to refuse the application for license renewal and transfer of ownership of the vehicle involved.

A spokesman for the TD said, "Vehicle owners are legally required to pay tolls on time after using government tolled tunnels. Offenders will be ordered to pay all outstanding amounts, penalties and costs of proceedings. The TD will continue to take actions to recover outstanding tolls and will progressively refer cases to the Magistrate for handling."

The spokesman continued, "The HKeToll was implemented in all government tolled tunnels and the Tsing Sha Control Area (i.e. Eagle's Nest Tunnel, Sha Tin Heights Tunnel and Tai Wai Tunnel) since May 2023, and most vehicle owners paid tolls on time. There are, however, a small number of vehicle owners who have not paid tolls or raised any dispute on tolls after repeated reminders from the toll service provider, including sending text messages or emails to their registered electronic contact means, and sending letters to their registered addresses. The TD reminds vehicle owners that unless an automatic payment means has been set up and payment is successful, payment must be completed within 14 working days after using a government tolled tunnel."

At present, the number of vehicle tags issued exceeds 810 000, accounting for more than 99 per cent of the licensed vehicles in Hong Kong. About 92 per cent of the vehicles have opened HKeToll accounts, and about 76 per cent of the vehicles have set up automatic payment means. The TD once again appeals to vehicle owners to install a vehicle tag, open an HKeToll account and set up an automatic payment means as soon as possible, so as to fully enjoy the convenience of the HKeToll.
Ends/Friday, April 5, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:37