We may restrict lorries and buses at Second Link, says DPM

PUTRAJAYA: The Government may restrict lorries and buses to the Johor-Singapore Second Link to ease congestion at the Causeway.

Reducing the levy for commercial vehicles and toll charges at the Second Link also looks imminent.

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who revealed this, said the Cabinet would discuss these measures at its meeting today.

The Deputy Prime Minister said these measures could reduce congestion at the Causeway by 40%, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was expected to announce the new rates soon.

“We hope that with lower charges, commercial vehicles would be drawn to use the Second Link, which will reduce the acute congestion at the Causeway,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after chairing a special taskforce meeting on traffic congestion at the Causeway.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Johor executive councillor Datuk Hasni Mohamad were among those who attended.

Presently, the levy for outbound commercial vehicles at the Causeway and Second Link is RM200, while those entering Johor from Singapore are charged RM100. It is learnt that the levy at the Causeway would be maintained, with charges at the Second Link to be brought down to RM50 both ways.

Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore are linked by the 1.056km Causeway, with reportedly 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles plying it daily.

Pedestrian flow is estimated at about 300,000 daily, with this going up to 500,000 on weekends and public holidays.

Johor and the republic are also connected via the Second Link, which connects Tanjung Kupang to Tuas in Singapore.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the setting up of the task force was a follow-up to the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders Retreat last month where the urgent need to resolve congestion at the Causeway was discussed.

He said the task force also deliberated on the need to upgrade existing infrastructure at the Sultan Abu Bakar and Sultan Iskandar CIQ complexes at the Second Link and Causeway respectively.

“One thing that needs to be done is to upgrade the technology of our scanners placed at the CIQs so that security is not compromised,’’ he added.

With the long Chinese New Year break coming up, the Deputy Prime Minister said Rela personnel would be despatched to help with the huge traffic and pedestrian flow.