SINGAPORE — In a bid to ease congestion at the Causeway, Singapore will match Malaysia’s plans for toll reduction at the Second Link from April 1, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

In a Facebook post late on Friday night (Feb 9), Mr Khaw said the matter was discussed between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak at the Leaders’ Retreat last month.

"Reducing tolls at 2nd Link was one suggestion. Implementation has been swift. Malaysia has just announced that tolls at 2nd Link will be reduced during off peak periods," Mr Khaw wrote.

"(We) welcome this decision and will match Malaysia’s revised toll rates. This will take effect from 1 April 2018. Hopefully, this will encourage some road users to shift out of the peak hour period."

Mr Khaw added that, to ease the congestion at the Causeway ahead of the Chinese New Year festivities, "we are also working with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB or Malayan Railways Limited ) to increase the frequency of their Tebrau Shuttle (between Woodlands and Johor Bahru) from 26 trips to 31 trips daily starting next Tuesday, 13 February, in time for Chinese New Year".

"With these measures, we can confidently wish for smoother flow of traffic," the transport minister said.

Under the revision, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said Singapore’s toll charges for all vehicles (except motorcycles) leaving and entering the Republic through Tuas Checkpoint will enjoy reduced charges of more than 85 per cent during the off-peak hours of 10am to 3pm, and 11pm to 5am daily. The LTA will also revise the peak period tolls - from 5am to 10am and 3pm to 11pm - to adjust for changes in exchange rates since the tolls were last set in 2010.

Earlier on Friday, Malaysian Premier Najib had announced the reduced levy and toll rates at the Second Link, which he said will take effect from Tuesday. 

The Barisan Nasional chairman denied that the announcement was an “election candy” as it was not decided alone, but together with Singapore as well.

Malaysia is expected to hold its General Elections later this year.

“The Cabinet has approved the proposal on the toll and levy reduction, while Singapore has agreed to match the rates,” Mr Najib said after a Muar community event at Bukit Mor in Parit Jawa.

The move, which takes effect from Tuesday (Feb 13), will see commercial vehicles paying a levy of just RM50 (S$16.81) to enter from either side of the bridge.

In a separate media statement, Mr Najib said currently these vehicles paid a levy of between RM100 and RM200.

As for toll rates, Mr Najib said, they will be reduced between 47 and 82 per cent depending on vehicle class and time of the day.

Without explaining in detail, he said there will be different toll rates between 10am and 3pm, and between 11pm and 5am.

“The new (toll) rates are as follows: individual vehicle will now be paying RM4, down from RM7.50; taxis to pay RM3, down from RM5.70, buses to pay RM4.50, down from RM9.10.

“Commercial vehicles of both categories will pay revised rates of RM4.50 and RM6.10 respectively,” he said in the statement.

The new rates, however, do not apply to motorcycles.

At a joint press conference with PM Lee last month after a retreat between the two leaders, Mr Najib said he and his Singaporean counterpart had discussed the issue of reviewing toll charges at the Tuas Second Link to “make it more attractive” for commuters to switch from using the Woodlands Causeway.

“(There are) reports that during peak hours, especially during the festivities and school holidays ... people from both sides have to wait for as long as three to four hours to get clearance. And we both agree that we need to resolve this,” said Mr Najib, adding that Malaysia was hopeful both sides will be able to come to a decision “as soon as possible”.

Mr Najib said on Friday that the lower levies and toll charges at the Second Link is expected to reduce the number of commercial vehicles at the Johor Causeway by 40 per cent.

Other steps to address traffic jams at the Causeway, Mr Najib added, include the construction of the four-kilometre Rapid Transit System, connecting Johor and Singapore.

The rail system is scheduled for completion in 2020.

“KTMB will also be increasing the number Tebrau Shuttle from 26 to 31 trips per day,” he said, adding that this can ferry an additional 1,500 passengers across the coast.

This, Mr Najib said, can also have a positive effect on the tourism industry, adding that tourists may opt to use the train to get to and from both countries.

He added that a team headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been established to look at long term solutions for traffic woes, with a single checkpoint between Malaysia and Singapore being mulled. WITH AGENCIES