By Christopher Tan And Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 2 Jul 2014
FOREIGNERS driving into Singapore will have to pay more from next month, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced yesterday.
From Aug 1, drivers of foreign-registered cars will have to pay $35 for a daily permit - up from $20 now.
And those driving goods vehicles will have to pay $40 for a monthly permit - four times the $10 charged now.
The LTA said it periodically reviews foreign vehicle permit fees to ensure that the cost of owning and using a foreign-registered vehicle in Singapore corresponds with that of owning and using a Singapore-registered vehicle.
The cost difference has widened in recent years, largely on the back of soaring certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums and additional taxes for premium and luxury cars.
"It's a nightmare," said Malaysian factory worker Ching Kiam Meng, 43, who drives into Singapore six days a week.
"It will eat a large chunk of my pay," he said, adding that he draws a monthly salary of $1,500.
With the impending permit increase, he intends to either ride a motorcycle in or car pool with others to defray costs.
Heavy truck driver Rama Perlam is also dreading the change.
"The company intends to just dock the higher fee from our pay," said the 45-year-old, who earns RM90 (S$35) for every trip he makes.
"There's no choice, but luckily, we are not as hard hit as car drivers, as ours is a monthly fee."
The last time charges were changed was in December 2004, when the entry permit for cars was reduced from $30 to $20.
Foreign-registered buses and taxis are exempt from the charges. The charge for motorcycles remains unchanged at $4 per day.
Entry charges are waived for cars and motorcycles on Saturdays, Sundays and Singapore public holidays.
They can also enter Singapore for free between 5pm and 2am every day, and from noon to 2am during the June and December school holidays.
Cars and motorbikes are also granted 10 days of free entry per year.
On average, there are about 50,000 foreign-registered vehicles on Singapore roads every day - up about 40 per cent from 35,000 some 10 years ago.
Two-thirds are motorcycles, with cars, vans and lorries making up the rest.