RM7 toll for cars crossing Second Penang Bridge

By Shannon Teoh

March 10, 2012

An artist’s impression of the Second Penang Bridge.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — The toll for the Second Penang Bridge has been set at RM7, instead of the earlier price of RM8.50, for cars to match that of the first bridge.

The Federal Government had extended the concession period for the Penang Bridge to December 31, 2038 in exchange for a freeze on toll hikes.

“Actually, we want the fee to be lower but if we are lower, the first bridge will complain. The first Penang Bridge was supposed to increase to over RM9, so we were ready to follow them.

“However, they have confirmed that they are staying at RM7, so we will also charge RM7,” Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib Dr Ismail was quoted as saying by The Star today.

Prior to the toll freeze announced in late November last year, Putrajaya had said the Second Penang Bridge, to be completed in September 2013, would charge RM1.70 for motorcycles and RM8.50 for four-wheeled vehicles.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had earlier said that toll rates for both bridges will be set at RM1.90 for motorbikes and RM9.40 for cars once the second bridge is completed until the first bridge’s concession agreement ends in 2018.

This led the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Penang government to start an anti-toll hike campaign.

But a toll will now continue to be imposed on the first bridge until 2038 after PLUS Expressways struck a deal that sees the highway concessionaire waive RM6.5 billion in compensation from the government for not raising fares.

DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng then accused the company of cheating Penangites saying “I thought only my children will pay the toll but now even my grandchildren will pay.”