What Changed
- Full commissioning of the Central Kowloon Bypass and an $8 vehicle toll scheduled for December 6, 2026.
- Gazetting of the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025 (Commencement) Notice on October 16, 2026, followed by LegCo negative vetting on October 21, 2026.
- Completion of Route 6 linking Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon East, and Kowloon West, reducing peak journey times between Tseung Kwan O and Yau Ma Tei from ~65 to ~12 minutes.
Motorists, logistics operators, and transport businesses operating in Hong Kong SAR will face a new statutory toll requirement starting December 6, 2026, as the Central Kowloon Bypass comes into full operation.
On October 14, 2026, the Hong Kong SAR Government announced that the Central Kowloon Bypass will be fully commissioned on Sunday, December 6, 2026. Simultaneously, an $8 toll will take effect for all vehicles using the bypass. This $8 toll arrangement was approved by the Legislative Council (LegCo) in 2025.
To bring the toll provisions into operation, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics made the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025 (Commencement) Notice. According to the government announcement, the Commencement Notice will be published in the Gazette on October 16, 2026, and subsequently tabled at LegCo for negative vetting on October 21, 2026.
The Central Kowloon Bypass comprises the already commissioned Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section Tunnel) and the Central Kowloon Bypass (Kowloon Bay Section Tunnel), which is scheduled for commissioning on December 6, 2026. Together with the Tseung Kwan O - Lam Tin Tunnel, these sections form Route 6, connecting Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon East, and Kowloon West. The Transport and Logistics Bureau expects that the opening of Route 6 will substantially reduce peak-hour journey times between Tseung Kwan O and Yau Ma Tei from approximately 65 minutes to about 12 minutes.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau stated that the $8 toll rate was set after considering public affordability. The toll is expected to recover part of the operating costs while achieving traffic diversion to relieve congestion on major roads in Kowloon.
Who May Be Affected
Motorists, commercial transport operators, and logistics businesses operating in Hong Kong SAR.
Cross-Border Context
Relevant for commercial transport, logistics service providers, and cross-boundary freight entities navigating key road networks in Hong Kong SAR.
What to check next
- Check the Hong Kong Government Gazette publication on October 16, 2026.
- Monitor Legislative Council proceedings during negative vetting on October 21, 2026.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.