Toll fees increase from 1 Oct

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http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/09/13...-distribution/

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced yesterday (12 Sep) that Singapore will increase its toll charges from 1 October 2014 in order to match Malaysia’s recent revision in toll charges at the Causeway.

LTA said, “Singapore has a long-standing policy of matching our toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia.”

“In view of Malaysia’s recent revision in toll charges at the Causeway, from 1 October 2014, Singapore’s toll charges for all vehicles (except motorcycles) leaving Singapore through the Causeway will be increased to match the new Malaysian toll,” it added.

“A new matching Causeway toll will also be implemented for all vehicles (except motorcycles) entering Singapore.”

The revised toll charges at the Causeway Woodlands Checkpoint, effective 1 October 2014, are as follows:



However, there will be no changes to the toll charges at the Second Link.

For foreign-registered cars, Singapore’s Causeway entry toll (i.e. entering Singapore from Johor) will be recorded in the LTA’s toll system and displayed to motorists upon entry into Singapore. Payment will be deducted only upon leaving Singapore (whether through the Causeway or Second Link), together with the exit toll, Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges (if any), LTA said.

All other vehicles that do not pay VEP fees, i.e. all Singapore-registered vehicles and foreign-registered goods vehicles, buses and taxis, will pay a Causeway toll when they enter Singapore and an exit toll when they depart Singapore, LTA clarified.

“Singapore will follow suit should Malaysia reduce or do away with the toll charges,” it said.

Josephine Teo’s explanation in Parliament

On Tuesday (9 Sep), Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo explained in Parliament Singapore’s long-standing policy of matching toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia.

The policy reflects the shared nature of the two crossings, where charges imposed by one party will have an impact on both countries, Ms Teo explained.

“Singapore’s policy of matching the tolls that Malaysia imposes for the use of the Causeway and Second Link is a longstanding one. It reflects the shared nature of the two crossings, and ensures a fair distribution of total revenues from the crossings,” she said.

“Without a matching policy, lower toll charges by one side may simply be offset by higher tolls levied by the other side. There is no assurance that toll charges foregone by one side will be translated into lower total charges which benefit motorists.”

She was responding to a question from WP MP Pritam Singh if the Singapore government plans to review such a policy.

Commenting on Ms Teo’s explanation, The Alternative View (TAV) asked just how credible is Josephine Teo as a minister?

“We really really do not understand what she is trying to say. Wouldn’t the act of both sides raising toll charges make it worse for the motorist than that of just one side raising?” TAV pointed out.

“LTA’s policy of matching toll charges will only bring misery to the many lower income earners in Singapore who may in the end see a rise in prices of various produces we import from Malaysia.”

TRE reader, Patrick Low, also wrote in to criticise Ms Teo’s explanation.

Mr Low said, “Nowhere in her defence of the tolls did she ever mention that when you levy a certain charge you must provide a certain level of service. All she is concerned about is the ‘distribution of total revenues’.”

“Does she give a damn about the congestion on the Causeway and the Tuas Link? Does she give a thought on how the raising of these tolls will affect the ordinary people of both countries? Has she worked out the inflationary impact on all manner of produce imported from Malaysia/Singapore because of the tolls?” Mr Low asked.

“What is the government doing with the revenue that it fleeces from the people? Have they widened the Causeway or improved the efficiency of the CIQ?”

“Wake up Ms Josephine Teo!! Be mindful that the crossings are the economic arteries that link the two countries upon which mutual prosperity depends. The more you impede the freedom of passage with all manners of tolls the more you impede economic progress. It should never become a bone of contention between 2 greedy governments out to fleece the people without giving anything in return. It makes nonsense of the recent nasi-bryani meal shared by the 2 clowns at the Sultan Gate!” he said.


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