JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Johor state government wants Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) to increase its rail service across the Causeway to hourly trips, as an alternative for commuters burdened by new toll fares at the Singapore checkpoint.

State Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Tourism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said this would also give Malaysians driving into Singapore daily for work a chance to switch to public transport.

"This could also have a positive impact on the traffic congestion at the Causeway as there will be fewer cars on the road," he said in a press conference here on Saturday.

He was commenting on a statement released by Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) that toll charges at the republic's side of the Causeway would be increased five-fold from Oct 1.

LTA issued a statement on its website on Friday announcing the new toll charges and explained that it was a long-standing policy for Singapore to match toll charges set by Malaysia at the Causeway and the Second Link.

The new rates will apply to all vehicles, except motorcycles, entering and leaving Singapore. Currently, it is imposed only on vehicles leaving Singapore.

The toll charges for cars will be raised from the current S$1.20 to a total of S$6.50, while the charges for vans and light goods vehicles will be increased from S$1.90 to a total of S$9.80.

As for heavy vehicles, the toll will be raised from S$2.60 to a total of S$13 (RM32.88).

The toll charges for taxis will be hiked to S$3.30 from S$0.60, while for buses, it will be S$5.30, up from S$1.