JOHOR BARU: Efforts to get heavy vehicles, especially lorries, to use the Second Link instead of the Causeway to enter and exit Singapore seem to be in vain.
Instead, more heavy vehicles are jamming the Causeway, adding to the already severe congestion there.
In July, the Federal Government had stated that measures would be introduced to get more lorries to use the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ (KSAB) complex at the Second Link.
However, checks showed that not only were more lorries jamming the Causeway, the heavy vehicles were even “encroaching” into lanes designated for cars.
Last week, Malaysian traffic police had to be sent to the halfway mark of the Causeway to order errant lorry drivers to turn back to Johor.
Johor Lorry Operators Association president Novan Hing said although the number of lorries using the Second Link had increased, many still preferred using the Causeway.
“The lower levy imposed on heavy vehicles at the Second Link has managed to sway more lorries there.
“However, the issue of congestion persists as the number of vehicles using the two routes are high, especially during the holiday season, ” he said when contacted.
Hing said the only way to ease traffic was to improve facilities at the Second Link and the Causeway.
The levy for commercial vehicles and toll charges at the Second Link were reduced in February last year to encourage more lorries to use the Second Link.
Outbound and inbound commercial vehicles pay only RM50, instead of RM200 for outbound commercial vehicles and RM100 for commercial vehicles entering Johor from Singapore previously.
Lorry driver Eddy Tan, 42, said he still preferred to use the Causeway because the delivery location in Singapore was nearer.
“It is faster for me to use the Causeway as it will link me straight to areas near Woodlands.
“While the reduced levy may woo some lorry drivers to use the Second Link, for many others, the location of delivery still plays a big role, ” he said.
Johor Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said plans to relocate heavy vehicles, including cargo and container transporters, to the Second Link was part of the initiative decided at a technical committee meeting to reduce congestion at the Causeway.
“This will not only ease the congestion at the Causeway but also at Johor Baru city centre.
“However, the plan is still at its early stage.
“We need further talks with all stakeholders in the industry as well as with the Singapore authorities, ” he said when contacted.
