[ad_1]
GEORGE TOWN: A PKR assemblyman has urged Putrajaya to consider charging discounted toll rates on Penangites who use the second Penang bridge in Batu Kawan.
This comes after the state assembly was told that traffic on the second bridge was low, resulting in toll collection that was not enough to pay for the bridge’s maintenance.
Goh Choon Aik (PKR-Bukit Tambun) said the government could offer a 20% discount on tolls, similar to the one offered on the first bridge to persons with a Penang address.
He said by doing so, the under utilised bridge could collect more tolls from more cars.
A private vehicle is charged a toll of RM8.50 on the second bridge, which connects Batu Kawan on the mainland to Batu Maung on the island.
The rate is RM7 for the first bridge, but Penangites with a special Touch’n’Go card registered at the toll plaza enjoy a 20% discounted rate at RM5.60.
Goh said by lowering the toll rate, heavy vehicles could be diverted away from the first bridge to the second bridge.
“There is no initiative to boost the use of the second bridge and hence it is not surprising that the use is low and had suffered from financial loses every month,” he told the state assembly today.
State executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari (DAP-Tanjung Bungah) had said the second Penang bridge cost RM120 million in annual maintenance, and collected an average of RM38 million in tolls yearly since it opened in 2014.
Zairil said he would take up the idea for a 20% discount for Penangites using the second bridge with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and the Public Works Department (PWD).
Zairil said from Apr 1, 2014 to Sept 30 this year, the number of users on the second bridge was at 7,120,604 vehicles, with RM142.5 million collected from tolls during the same period.
The 24km bridge was constructed at a cost of RM4.5 billion and an additional RM189 million was spent on land acquisition.
It is operated by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd, which is wholly-owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated.
[ad_2]
Source link
