Singapore announced yesterday it will match Malaysia’s revised toll charges at the Causeway, which took effect in July. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 13, 2014.
News that Singapore will match Malaysia’s move to revise the toll charges at the Causeway has been met with resignation and despair by Johor folk who commute to the island republic daily for work, reports Todayonline.
Singapore will increase toll charges from October 1 for all vehicles (except motorcycles) leaving the republic through the Johor Baru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday, adding that Singapore had a long-standing policy of matching its toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia.
Singapore-based tour companies and buses using the Causeway have also expressed dismay over the LTA’s move, said Todayonline. Operators told the portal they have no choice but to pass the cost to consumers.
National Association of Travel Agents Singapore chief operating officer Anita Tan was quoted as saying that its members had indicated Malaysia’s increased toll charges in July had had a significant impact on their businesses.
“The new toll charges will affect tourists travelling between both countries by most forms of motor transport and business operators may have to pass on the increased costs to their customers,” she told Todayonline.
The Singapore daily quoted Johor-based carpenter Lee Chee Seng as saying he might consider stopping supplying goods and services to Singapore, citing difficulties in absorbing the higher toll rates.
Another Malaysian, Hau Boon Siong, who travels daily to Singapore for work, said: “There’s nothing that I can do. What can we do?”
Others who will feel the pinch include small and medium enterprises which procure goods from across the Causeway or own warehouses in Johor.
Singaporeans who do their grocery shopping in Johor Baru would also cut down the number of trips, said Todayonline.
Raymond Tan, who visited Malaysia two to three times a month, was quoted as saying that he would cut down the number of trips with the higher tolls.
“I go to Malaysia mainly to buy groceries and to relax by shopping and watching movies.”
The current toll for cars leaving Singapore will rise to S$3.80 (RM9.70) from S$1.20 while vans and light goods vehicles will see an increase to S$5.80 from S$1.90.
Taxis and buses will increase to S$1.90 and S$3.10 from S$0.60 and S$1, respectively.
For vehicles entering Singapore, LTA will charge S$2.70 for cars, S$4 (vans/light goods vehicles), S$5.30 (heavy vehicles), S$1.40 (taxis) and S$2.20 (buses).
A Malaysian bus association also told Todayonline that it would have to pass on the higher costs to customers.
Tan Peng Chai, president of the Johor Baru Bus Association of Factory Bus Operators and Drivers, said it would cost an extra S$500 to S$600 in operating costs per bus each month with the new rates.
DAP Skudai assemblyman Boo Cheng Hau said Singapore’s new toll rates would have a negative impact on businesses in Johor Baru.
He urged both Putrajaya and Singapore to work together to abolish tolls and speed up the rapid transit system link between Singapore and Malaysia.
Putrajaya will also introduce a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee for all foreign vehicles entering Johor.
- TMI
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