It said the toll for users of the new tunnel would be the same for all types of vehicles, while it also wants to charge HK$8 instead of HK$5 for those using the Aberdeen and Shing Mun tunnels.
In documents submitted to the legislature, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said public affordability was among the issues that officials had taken into account in making the proposals.
It said the higher charges are expected to have a minimal impact on traffic for the two existing tunnels, but the toll hike would double the revenue generated, to around HK$289 million a year.
Officials plan to table legal amendments within this Legco year, and if lawmakers approve them, the new charges could take effect within a month.
The new route in Kowloon is due to open partially later this year.
Officials estimate the tolls from the new route would add HK$257 million a year to public coffers.
They said the fee would allow the new tunnel to absorb around one fifth of the East-West bound traffic in Kowloon, easing traffic congestion in busy districts such as Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po.
If lawmakers approve the proposal, the government plans to charge road users in the middle of next year, when the entire route is scheduled to be completed.
The legislature’s transport panel is due to discuss the matter in a week.
