Central Kowloon Route Kowloon Bay Section Opens Dec 6, Cutting Travel Time by 53 Minutes
SingTao · 8 SOURCESabout 16 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Transport and Logistics Bureau Commissioner Chan Mei-po announced on September 30 that the Kowloon Bay section of the Central Kowloon Route will open on December 6, marking the full activation of Route 6 corridor spanning 12.5 kilometres. Once operational, the all-day tunnel toll will be set at $8, and peak-hour travel between Tseung Kwan O town centre and Yau Ma Tei will be slashed from approximately 65 minutes to just 12 minutes. LegCo member Tang Ka-piu however flagged concerns that only 10 bus routes currently use the route, calling for more full-day services to maximize its potential.
Key Points
- The 3.4-kilometre Kowloon Bay section, with 3.1 kilometres underground, connects eastward to the Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel and westward to the Yau Ma Tei section that opened in December 2025
- All vehicles using the Central Kowloon Route will pay a flat $8 toll around the clock, with 20 franchised bus routes expected to utilise Route 6 upon full opening
- The Yau Ma Tei section, already operational since December 21, 2025, currently handles approximately 74,000 vehicle trips daily with peak-hour utilisation at about 75 percent
- System tests and fire safety equipment inspections have entered the final stage, with officials aiming to refine road systems, public transport connections, and signage before the launch
- LegCo representative Tang Ka-piu of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions welcomed the development but urged the government to add more full-day bus services, noting the existing 10 routes primarily operate only during weekday peak hours or in single direction
Why It Matters
The completion of Route 6 will reshape commuting patterns for an estimated 1.4 to 1.5 million residents in Kai Tak, Kwun Tong, and Tseung Kwan O, while the $8 flat toll offers significant savings compared to alternative routes that may incur multiple tunnel charges . Beyond transportation, the Highways Department plans to repurpose a temporary construction shaft at the Shanghai Street–Kansu Street junction into an automated parking facility, turning infrastructure into lasting community benefit .
The completion of Route 6 will reshape commuting patterns for an estimated 1.4 to 1.5 million residents in Kai Tak, Kwun Tong, and Tseung Kwan O, while the $8 flat toll offers significant savings compared to alternative routes that may incur multiple tunnel charges . Beyond transportation, the Highways Department plans to repurpose a temporary construction shaft at the Shanghai Street–Kansu Street junction into an automated parking facility, turning infrastructure into lasting community benefit .