The government says it plans to charge time-varying tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel after it takes control of the infrastructure in the New Territories on May 31 next year.

Currently, private car and taxi drivers pay HK$58, while commercial vehicle drivers pay between HK$64 and HK$79 for using the tunnel connecting Ting Kau and Yuen Long.

Under the new tolling system, there will be three levels of charges for “peak”, “general” and “non-peak” hours, similar to the system used for the cross-harbour tunnels.

The morning rush hour will be from 7.15am to 9.45am, while the evening peak period will be from 5.15pm to 7pm.

For private cars, the proposed toll during peak hours is HK$45, HK$30 for normal periods of the day, and HK$18 for non-peak hours.

Motorcyclists will pay HK$18 during peak hours, HK$12 during normal periods and HK$7.2 at non-peak hours.

Taxis will be charged a fixed toll of HK$28 and commercial vehicles HK$43 throughout the day.

A fixed charging scheme will apply to all vehicles on Sundays and public holidays.

The government also explained that it hasn't considered toll-free journeys in non-peak hours because it believes the best approach is to have users cover the infrastructure costs, emphasising this has nothing to do with the higher-than-expected government deficit this fiscal year.

It said the scheme will ease traffic on alternative routes such as Tuen Mun Road and the Tolo Highway.

Tuen Mun Road is expected to see 300 fewer private cars during the busiest hour of the day.

There will be a mechanism in place to adjust the tolls, with any changes capped at no more than HK$3.

The government said it plans to table a bill on the plans to Legco for a first reading next Wednesday, and hopes to see it passed in the first quarter of next year.