DON'T BE STUBBORN: Review new Johor toll charges

The protest by factory bus drivers at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, Johor Baru early Friday has paralysed traffic for over four hours. Although the unprecedented protest has triggered some complaints, most people still expressed understanding and sympathy as the massive toll charges hikes are indeed debatable.

Statistics showed that after Singapore increased its Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee, the VEP fee for foreign-registered cars entering Singapore will be raised from S$20 to S$35 per day, or 75%, while the Goods Vehicle Permit (GVP) fee for foreign-registered goods vehicle will be raised from S$10 to S$40 per calendar month, or 300%. (Note: VEP-chargeable hours will remain unchanged, for instance, from 2am to 12pm on weekdays during Singapore's June and December school holidays, and from 2am to 5pm on weekdays outside these two school holiday periods.) At the CIQ Complex, however, not only inbound toll charges on vehicles entering the country have been raised, but vehicles exiting the country are also required to pay outbound toll charges.

As a result, the toll charges going for a round trip to Singapore have increased from RM2.90 to RM16.50 for cars, or 568%; RM4.10 to RM24.90 for small lorries, or 607%; RM5.50 to RM33.30 for big lorries, or 605%; RM1.30 to RM8.20 for taxis, or 630%; and RM2.10 to RM13.30 for buses, or 607%.

We understand that the operation of the Causeway is facing the pressure of cost hikes and moderate hikes of fees are understandable. However, up to five or six times of hikes are doubtful. Calculating based on 22 working days a month, the monthly toll charges for Malaysians who drive to Singapore for working everyday have nearly doubled to around RM2,400!

It is more worrying as the Woodlands and Johor Bahru checkpoints might imitate each other to raise toll charges and impose entry fees. It will be a nightmare for the people.

The most criticised part for the toll charges hikes this time would be the alleged toll charges for the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) in the name of outbound toll charges.

The EDL was completed and opened in 2012, with its toll charging plan shelved since it was during the election period and the people had strongly opposed to it.

As there is no free lunch in the world, if the 8km-long EDL can really shorten travelling time, it is reasonable to impose toll charges on users, but the rate must be reasonable and moderate. Today, however, regardless of whether motorists use the EDL or not, they still must pay the RM6.80 of outbound toll charges. It is indeed unreasonable.

It was only a few days since the new toll charges by Singapore and Malaysia were implemented, but the impacts are immediate. The business of food and beverages operators in Johor Bahru claimed to have fallen while transportation operators are threatening to raise fees. Eventually, the people will be the one paying the bill. The protest staged by factory bus drivers is an alarm and hopefully, both governments can prioritise the people's interests and review the new toll charges! -Mysinchew