Malaysia ups toll charges at Johor Baru checkpoint; Singapore cars affected

From Aug 1, all motorists will have to pay higher vehicle entry fees once they pass through the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex to and fro Singapore and Johor Baru, a move that is likely to upset Malaysians working across the
From Aug 1, all motorists will have to pay higher vehicle entry fees once they pass through the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex to and fro Singapore and Johor Baru, a move that is likely to upset Malaysians working across the Causeway. -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO 

From Aug 1, all motorists will have to pay higher vehicle entry fees once they pass through the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex to and fro Singapore and Johor Baru, a move that is likely to upset Malaysians working across the Causeway.

The works ministry had on Friday announced a revision in toll charges for all vehicles, except motorcycles, passing through the CIQ complex, otherwise known as the Sultan Iskandar Building, without explaining why. The CIQ complex is the border checkpoint near the Johor Causeway.

Currently, private cars entering Johor from Singapore only pay a one-way charge of RM2.90 (S$1.13), irrespective of whether they are locally- or foreign-registered.

But when the new charges kick in, cars will pay a total of RM16.50 for a day trip to Singapore and back, while buses pay RM13.30 to and fro Singapore. Taxis will be charged RM8.20 per two-way trip.

This is on top of another vehicle entry permit (VEP) fee, reportedly to be at RM50, that the government will impose on Singapore-registered vehicles entering Malaysia via Johor Baru after Singapore announced it is raising VEP on foreign vehicles from $20 to $35 with effect from Aug 1.

The works ministry also said motorists using the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) to enter Johor Baru city centre, the North-South Highway, Permas Jaya or Pasir Gudang would not be affected. It added that the tolls would be charged via Touch 'n Go electronic payment cards only.

yyennie@sph.com.sg

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