Talk of the Town：HKeToll: A new toll-paying technology
【明報專訊】The Transport Department has launched HKeToll, which is a free-flow tolling service system in early 2023. The new tolling system has been implementing hitherto in most of the government-tolled tunnels.
What is HKeToll?
HKeToll enables motorists pay tolls remotely using toll tags, without having to stop and queue up at toll booths for payments. When a vehicle passes through the toll point of the ''HKeToll'' tunnel, the system will automatically detect the vehicle and collect the toll through toll tag or vehicle registration mark.
Different toll payment methods in Hong Kong
The traditional manual toll payment requires motorists to stop and queue up at toll booths for payments, which has been brought about the traffic congestion in various harbour crossings in Hong Kong.
While before the launch of the HKeToll, the Autotoll (快易通) system invented by the private companies has been using in Hong Kong since 1998 as an alternative to the traditional manual toll payment. Vehicles with Autotoll tag can go straight and do not have to stop and pay cash at toll booths. Upon the implementation of HKeToll at a tolled tunnel, all manual toll booths and Autotoll traffic lanes will be decommissioned.
◆Grammar Booster
hitherto
''Hitherto'' is an adverb, which means until now or until a particular time.
E.g. Mira revealed hitherto unsuspected talents on the stage.
■Game
There are three drivers and they are confusing which tunnels they should use. Can you help them?
(1) Ms. Mo, she is now in Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre (九龍清真寺) which is in Tsim Sha Tsui, and plans to have dinner in Sai Ying Pun.
(2) Mr. Chan, he is now in Kowloon Tong and would like to go to The Wai (圍方), a new plaza in Tai Wai.
(3) Mrs Lee, she is now in Sha Tin and would like to go to Tsuen Wan.
(Suggested answers on next text)
■Glossary
motorist (n) 駕駛者
automatically (adv) 自動地
manual (adj) 人手的
decommission (v) 停止使用/退役
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第383期]
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