New RM20 road charge won’t stop Singaporeans who drive to Malaysia
Johor Bahru causeway. AFP file photo
Despite needing to pay a higher toll charge, Singaporean motorists say they will still make their way across the Causeway, citing reasons such as a favourable exchange rate, and being able to save on groceries.
A new RM20 ($6.60) road charge (RC) has been imposed on Singapore-registered cars to enter Malaysia via the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints starting on Tuesday (1 November), which kicked in at midnight. This is in addition to the RM9.70 toll to enter and RM6.80 to exit Malaysia for such cars.
Motorists also have to pay a total of $6.40 (Tuas) or $6.50 (Woodlands) for exiting and entering Singapore. Including the new RC, the total cost of a return trip to Malaysia is about $19.
However, Singaporeans who regularly cross the border told Yahoo Singapore that the increase will not deter them from making their trips up north.
Singapore’s Ministry of Transport has said it will match the road charge “in some form” if the charge discriminates against Singapore-registered vehicles.
Still possible to save on groceries and petrol
Nor Aliff Arshad, 33, said that he will still be able to save on food, groceries and petrol. He travels to Johor Bahru once a week. “I think for a start they (Singaporeans) may be apprehensive but once they do their calculations I’m pretty sure they will go in as per normal,” he said.
“And now that the exchange rate favours Singaporeans, I don’t see why they would stop,” said the account clinical executive.
Civil servant Mohamad Shah, 38, said regular visitors to Johor Bahru are willingly to pay the RM20 RC to do their weekly shopping and to buy petrol, but he expects Singaporeans to cut down the number of trips to Johor Bahru in a week.
“I am sure that Singaporeans will still enter Malaysia but maybe not as often. Personally, I will still make the trip to Johor Bahru. I have to pay RM20 but I am still able to save money by doing my grocery shopping there,” he added.
No choice for those who work or have business in Malaysia
Tsui Wing Hong, 32, drives to Kuala Lumpur once or twice a month for business. The publisher said Singaporeans who have businesses in Malaysia have no choice but to pay the toll.
“If it’s for business, then people will have little choice but to adhere to the increase in charges. Those requiring to enter daily might feel the pinch more significantly as compared to those who travel there a handful of times a month,” he said.
Singapore footballer Hariss Harun, who is currently plying his trade with Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim, said he is willing to pay the extra charges to travel back to Singapore.
The midfielder, who lives in Johor but returns to Singapore three or four times a week, makes it a point to come back to Singapore whenever his schedule permits.
“Of course I have to pay more now to get in and out, but I will still make trips whenever I can,” he said.
