By Christopher Tan, The Straits Times, 13 Sep 2014
DRIVING to Malaysia via the Causeway will cost substantially more from Oct 1 as Singapore raises toll rates to match Malaysia's fee hike.
The Land Transport Authority announced the new rates yesterday - just days after Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo told Parliament on Tuesday that Singapore would match Malaysia's increase "in due course".
Charges will apply for vehicles entering Singapore via the Causeway as well, up from no charge today. The two-way toll for a car will amount to $6.50 - more than five times the $1.20 charged today. The new rate is on a par with the toll at the Second Link, which remains unchanged at $6.40 for a round trip by car on Singapore's side. The Malaysia toll at the Second Link is RM7.50 (S$3).
The charges for all other vehicles except motorcycles - which will continue to have toll-free use of the Causeway - will also increase by around five times the previous rates.
With the higher fees Malaysia introduced on Aug 1, the toll for cars going to Johor Baru and back will be around $13 via the Causeway. This is expected to put off some but not all travellers.
Mr Chris Quek, 53, who runs driving-holiday company Wheels For Fun, said: "I don't think it will affect those who drive up country... perhaps only those who go to JB to buy petrol."
Mr Chris Quek, 53, who runs driving-holiday company Wheels For Fun, said: "I don't think it will affect those who drive up country... perhaps only those who go to JB to buy petrol."
Since the toll hike on the Malaysian side, he said he has noticed that "traffic had lightened a little" on the Causeway.
Singapore businessman Fran William, 35, who goes to Johor Baru every fortnight, said he will cut down on his trips. "Maybe I'll go once every month or three weeks," he said. "I go there mostly to buy groceries."
Businesses in Johor Baru also expect a slowdown.
Mr Chook Jack Seng, 41, of Malaysian pharmacy chain My Pharmacy, said the increase is likely to dampen sales.
Many Singaporeans go to Johor Baru for medicines and health supplements as the price difference is substantial.
Mr Chook said the August hike had hit business, though he could not give an exact figure.
"We've not assessed the impact across our stores - we have 15 outlets in JB," he said. "But I think the bigger impact will be on transportation companies... especially those moving goods."
But Singapore vegetable wholesaler Yeo Thong Huat, 60, said the hike is unlikely to translate to any tangible increase in vegetable prices. He said this was because when divided by the load per lorry, it is negligible.
Each big lorry can carry up to 20 tonnes of vegetables.
Johor seeks hourly train shuttle to S'pore
State official says frequent service can help commuters hit by Causeway toll hikes
By Shannon Teoh Malaysia Correspondent In Kuala Lumpur, The Sunday Times, 14 Sep 2014
State official says frequent service can help commuters hit by Causeway toll hikes
By Shannon Teoh Malaysia Correspondent In Kuala Lumpur, The Sunday Times, 14 Sep 2014
Johor has called on rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad to increase its service frequency across the Causeway to hourly trips as an alternative for commuters faced with surging toll fares.
Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Tee Siew Kiong said yesterday that a more regular train service would give those who drive daily to work an opportunity to switch to public transport.
"This could also have a positive impact on traffic congestion at the Causeway as there will be fewer cars," he said at a press conference, according to The Star newspaper.
Singapore's Land Transport Authority announced last Friday that it would match the Malaysian levy on the bridge, bringing the cost of a round trip for a car on the 1km road to about $13 from Oct 1.
The news caused concern across the border, with businessmen and politicians bracing themselves for a blow to the economy, as it meant a more than tenfold increase in two months for commuters after Malaysia first introduced a fee of RM16.50 (S$6.50) for cars on Aug 1.
A train ride from transport hub Johor Baru Sentral to Woodlands costs RM5 per adult.
Better public transport service would be welcome news for businessmen, including Mr Teh Kee Sin, president of the Small-Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia and head of its South Johor chapter.
"Without viable alternatives, people who use the Causeway will be forced to adapt. But we will never forget these decisions by both governments," he told The Sunday Times.
He added that business owners could raise prices by up to 20 per cent as the long-term impact of the toll hikes makes its way along the supply chain.
The latest toll increase comes on the back of Singapore's decision to raise the Vehicle Entry Permit fee from $20 to $35 per day, from Aug 1. The Goods Vehicle Permit fee for foreign-registered vehicles also increased from $10 to $40 per month.
The implications of the toll increases could sound the death knell for the ambitious Iskandar economic zone, said Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong.
"With this tit-for-tat move, it is as though a wall has been erected on the Causeway to separate the two neighbours," the Democratic Action Party Johor chief said in a statement yesterday.
"Iskandar, which is heavily relying on its proximity to Singapore investments, is as good as gone."
Even leaders from the ruling Umno party agreed.
Pulai MP Nur Jazlan Mohamed told The Sunday Times: "Both governments have to decide if they want Iskandar or not because instead of promoting it, they are imposing a de facto tax."
While Singapore said it is merely adhering to a policy of matching its neighbour's levy, Malaysia insists its collection is not a Causeway toll, but to pay for the Eastern Dispersal Link, which is an elevated highway that connects the Johor Baru immigration complex to the North- South Expressway.