Reducing the tax on the second bridge could attract traffic, a state representative said

GEORGE: A PKR Assist Assistant has asked Putrajaya to consider charging low toll rates to Penangians using Batu Kawan's second Penang bridge.

This happens after the state assembly has been informed that the traffic on the second bridge has been low, which has led to the collection of taxes, which was not enough to pay for the maintenance of the bridge.

Goh Choon Aik (PKR-Bukit Tambun) said the government could offer a 20% reduction in transit fees, similar to the one offered on the first bridge to people with Penang's address.

He said that by doing so, the used bridge could collect more taxes from several cars.

A private vehicle is charged at RM8.50 on the second bridge linking Batu Kawan to the mainland of Batu Maung on the island.

The rate is RM7 for the first bridge, but Penangites with a special TouchPad registered at the charging beach enjoy a reduced rate of 20% at RM5.60.

Goh said by lowering the toll rate, heavy vehicles could be removed from the first bridge to the second bridge.

"There is no initiative to stimulate the use of the second bridge and it is therefore not surprising that the use is low and that it has suffered financial losses every month," he said today.

State executive counselor Zairil Khir Johari (DAP-Tanjung Bungah) said the second bridge in Penang is costing an annual maintenance of 120 million euros and collected an average of 38 million euros a year from the tax its opening in 2014.

Zairil said he would take the idea of ​​a 20% reduction for Penangites using the second bridge with the Malaysian Motorways Authority (LLM) and the Department of Public Works (PWD).

Zairil said that between April 1, 2014 and September 30 this year, the number of users on the second bridge was 7,120,604 vehicles, with 14.2 million RM collected from tolls during the same period.

The 24-kilometer bridge was built at a cost of 4.5 billion RM, and an additional $ 189 million was spent on land acquisition.

It is operated by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd, which is wholly owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated.