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Diesel subsidies, cheaper tolls to help Hong Kong transport sector as fuel costs soar

Leopold Chen,Olga Wong
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Hong Kong’s government announced HK$3-per-litre diesel subsidies and halved tunnel tolls for commercial vehicles to offset surging fuel costs, targeting trucks, buses, and ferries. A cross-departmental task force, led by the Financial Secretary’s Office, proposed four temporary relief measures after monitoring volatile diesel prices, balancing fiscal prudence with sectoral support. Chief Executive John Lee approved the short-term plan following a Thursday meeting, emphasizing aid for diesel-dependent transport amid broader economic uncertainty tied to Middle East conflicts. Financial Secretary Paul Chan had forecasted 2.5–3.5% GDP growth for 2026 in late February, but escalating geopolitical tensions—including US-Israel strikes on Iran—now threaten that outlook. The measures prioritize commercial operators over private vehicles, reflecting concerns over fuel-driven inflation and supply chain disruptions in the transport-heavy economy.
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Diesel subsidies, cheaper tolls to help Hong Kong transport sector as fuel costs soar

AdvertisementHong Kong economyHong KongHong Kong EconomyDiesel subsidies, cheaper tolls to help Hong Kong transport sector as fuel costs soarShort-term measures include diesel subsidies of HK$3 per litre, half-price tunnel tolls for non-private vehicles3-MIN READ3-MIN1 ListenLeopold ChenandOlga WongPublished: 10:57am, 9 Apr 2026Updated: 8:58pm, 9 Apr 2026The Hong Kong government has proposed short-term measures including diesel subsidies of HK$3 per litre and reduced toll fees to ease pressure on the commercial transport sector, which is grappling with soaring fuel prices.Confirming an earlier South China Morning Post report, the government said on Thursday night that a recently formed task force monitoring fuel price movements had floated four temporary measures prioritising diesel-powered commercial vehicles and ferries.The government said the measures balanced volatile fuel prices and its prudent fiscal approach to public funds.Advertisement“The impact of the situation in the Middle East on Hong Kong’s overall economy largely depends on whether the military conflict continues, expands or escalates,” the Financial Secretary’s Office said.Just days before the US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po had forecast the city’s gross domestic product would grow by 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent this year.AdvertisementThe cross-departmental task force led by the office met Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in the morning to work out the measures.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x

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Source: South China Morning Post Business

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