Cabinet to send delegation to S'pore to discuss toll hike

JOHOR BARU: The Cabinet has decided to send a delegation to Singapore to discuss and explain the causeway toll issue.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr. Wee Ka Siong said this to reporters after meeting with local Chinese organizations at Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association here Friday.
He said Singapore is planning to increase the toll rates on October 1 based on incorrect perception.
"We are not increasing the toll rate at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex. We just started to collect toll of the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) on August this year," he said.
He said the Government had decided early this year to impose toll collection on EDL on August 1.
The cabinet will send a delegation comprising officials from the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting is to explain and persuade Singapore not to impose the new toll rates on October 1.
Singapore's toll charges from Oct 1 for all vehicles except motorcycles is scheduled to increase to match the new Malaysian toll rates.
Prior to the meeting, Johor Baru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCCI) president Deputy President Low Kueck Shin presented a memorandum to Wee .
On October 1, the current toll for cars leaving Singapore will rise to S$3.80 from S$1.20 while vans and light goods vehicles will see an increase to S$5.80 from S$1.90.
Taxis and buses will increase to S$1.90 and S$3.10 from S$0.60 and S$1, respectively.
For vehicles entering Singapore, Singapore Land Transport will charge S$2.70 for cars, S$4 (vans/light goods vehicles), S$5.30 (heavy vehicles), S$1.40 (taxis) and S$2.20 (buses).