The Wutong Mountain Tunnel tollgates and eight others bordering Huizhou and Dongguan cities were officially scrapped yesterday, saving motorists around 250 million yuan (US$38 million) a year.
The cancellation of Wutong Mountain Tunnel tollgate fees is expected to save daily commuters 600 yuan a month and lower costs for logistics companies.
It is also expected to stimulate business at Zhongying Street in Shatoujiao, a town bordering Hong Kong, but it has raised fears of parking difficulties and traffic jams because motorists will now use Wutong Mountain Tunnel between Shenzhen and Yantian because the trip is shorter.
It also could help Anxun Logistics in Yantian save more than 100,000 yuan a year in operating costs. Manager Geng Bo said minitrucks would benefit from the cancellation because heavy trucks were not allowed on Luosha Road. The company owns more than 20 vans and minitrucks.
A taxi driver surnamed Lu welcomed the cancellation of the tollgate because it would mean more business.
"Previously, I could earn 50-60 yuan for a trip to Yantian. Sometimes I rejected passengers because I had to pay for the tollgate fees if returning empty. I'm now more willing to take passengers to Yantian," he said.
Also from yesterday, eight tollgates bordering Dongguan and Huizhou including Shatian, and Dashuikeng were also scrapped.
Shenzhen's mayor Xu Qin said at a ceremony yesterday the cancellation of the eight tollgates was important as the city government promotes integration of Pearl River Delta cities.
The Shenzhen transport commission said it was negotiating with operators of the Shuitian and Matian tollgates. If they were canceled in May, there would be no tollgates on roads other than expressways.
(By Han Ximin)
