Hong Kong taxi passengers will still have to pay full tunnel tolls despite government relief measures that cut the fee for commercial vehicles by half, transport authorities have said.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said on Friday that the relief measure, contained in a package to support the transport sector as oil prices rise, was aimed at helping commercial vehicle drivers and operators.

For two months, the government will reduce tunnel tolls by 50 per cent for all commercial vehicles, including taxis. The lost revenue is estimated to amount to HK$160 million (US$20.4 million).

“Currently, the law stipulates the fares and surcharges that taxi passengers must pay, including tunnel tolls for using various tunnels,” the bureau said.

“The law will not be revised in the wake of the two-month temporary [toll reduction] measure … In other words, during the two-month measure, taxi passengers will still be required to pay the tunnel surcharge as stated in the current law.

“The 50 per cent discount is for supporting the taxi drivers.”