1. What are the changes to the Causeway Tolls with effect from 1 August 2014?
On 1 Aug 2014, Malaysia introduced a new Causeway toll for all vehicles, except motorcycles, travelling from Johor to Singapore. Malaysia has also increased the tolls for all vehicles, except motorcycles, travelling from Singapore to Johor through the Causeway.
2. What is the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Goods Vehicle Permit (GVP) fee?
The VEP fee is levied on foreign motor cars and motorcycles travelling into Singapore on a per day basis. The GVP fee is levied on foreign goods vehicles travelling into Singapore on a monthly basis.
Unlike a toll, the VEP and GVP do not charge vehicles for using any specific road. Instead, they are meant to equalise the cost of owning or using a foreign vehicle in Singapore, with the cost of owning or using a local vehicle.
The VEP only affects about one in ten foreign-registered cars. Most foreign-registered vehicles will not be affected as they enter and stay in Singapore on VEP-free days or during VEP-free hours.
3. Does the incident at JB’s CIQ have to do with Singapore’s decision to raise VEP and GVP fees?
No. Singapore’s VEP/GVP fees do not apply to commercial or public transport buses, such as the Bas Kilangs involved in the incident.
According to Malaysian authorities, the incident was caused by the refusal of two bus drivers to pay the increased Causeway toll imposed at the JB CIQ. According to the Malaysia Highway Authority, the increase in tolls charges will be used for the maintenance of the Eastern Dispersal Link and other CIQ facilities in JB.
4. Why do we need to raise the VEP and GVP fees?
The cost difference between owning/using a foreign vehicle in Singapore and owning/using a local vehicle has widened in recent years. Hence, we need to revise the VEP and GVP fee.
5. Will Singapore raise its Causeway tolls as well?
Singapore has a long-standing policy of matching our toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia. Malaysia is aware of this policy.
We will thus match Malaysia’s new toll charges in the next few weeks. As details of Malaysia’s toll revisions were not made known to Singapore earlier, LTA would need some time to operationalise the changes. We will give sufficient notice before changes are implemented.
The media has also reported that the Malaysian authorities would be reviewing the tolls. Should Malaysia reduce or do away with the toll charges, Singapore will do the same.
Zaqy Mohamad
*Article first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/notes/zaqy-mohamad/changes-to-the-causeway-toll...