From 15 February 2017, all Malaysian cars will have to pay a Reciprocal Road Charge (RRC) of S$6.40 (RM20) per-entry when they enter Singapore.
This is after the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that they will impose charges on all foreign-registered cars when they enter the country via its Tuas or Woodlands checkpoint.
The RCC is in addition to the S$35 (RM109) Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and toll charges, and the fixed Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) fees that all foreign-registered vehicles are already required to pay when they enter Singapore.
“The RRC mirrors Malaysia’s road charge of RM20 per entry for non-Malaysia registered cars entering Johor, which was implemented on Nov 1, 2016,” LTA said in a statement.
LTA said the RRC will be collected together with the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), toll charges and fixed Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) fees upon departure at the Tuas or Woodlands Checkpoint.
LTA have put up signs to remind motorists to pay for the applicable charges by inserting their Autopass Card or CashCard into the card readers at the immigration booths.
LTA also said that they have imposed stiffer penalties on motorists who evade payment of the tolls, fees and charges since 1 August 2016. First-time offenders are liable to pay a composition sum of $50 (RM156), while repeat offenders will have to pay $100 (RM312). Motorists who do not pay the composition sum may be charged in court and are liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding S$1,000 (RM3,125), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months for the first offence.
On Jan 9, Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore’s Transport Minister reiterated the republic’s stand to match Malaysia’s road charge.
He was quoted in Parliament saying that the country has a long-standing policy of matching any levy, toll or fee charged by Malaysia at the land checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Malaysia’s Transport Minister responded, calling on Singapore to reconsider its decision to match Malaysia’s road charge, denying that the road charge was discriminatory against Singapore-registered vehicles.
He pointed that the republic had been charging Malaysian cars since 1973 through the VEP.
He also clarified that there would be no additional charge on foreign vehicles besides the the road charge when the country’s own VEP is fully implemented by mid-year.
Reciprocal Road Charge for foreign-registered cars
All foreign-registered cars will have to pay a Reciprocal Road Charge (RRC) of S$6.40 per-entry when they enter Singapore via the Tuas or Woodlands Checkpoint.
Toll charges for foreign-registered vehicles
* Vans/Light Goods Vehicles are defined as those having 2 axles or 6 wheels or less.
VEP fees for foreign-registered cars and motorcycles
Foreign-registered cars and motorcycles are required to pay VEP fees for each day the vehicles
are kept or used in Singapore. Motorists can drive into Singapore for 10 VEP-free days per
calendar year.
* During the Singapore mid-year and year-end school holidays, VEP fees will apply from 2am – 12pm.
Fixed ERP fee
All foreign-registered car owners who do not have an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) installed must a
pay a fixed ERP fee of S$5 daily if they use ERP-priced roads during ERP operating hours.
Source: LTA, The Sun Daily
