More people will use 2nd Link

More people will use Second Link after toll rates are reduced

Small-time business operators within the Second Link area are looking forward to getting more customers and better profits following the Government’s announcement of its decision to reduce toll charges beginning Aug 1.

Many believe that the move will spur more people to use the Second Link, which has been under utilised due to its high toll rates compared to the Causeway in Johor Baru.

Businessman Misran Sapan, 50, said the number of people using the highway had declined drastically since 2008 when the toll rates were revised upwards by at least 60%.

“With this latest news from the Government, hopefully more people will use this link and this will help translate into better business for us,” said the fruit-seller operating at a rest area along the Second Link.

Another trader Wong Fook Ling, 32, said that presently most of his customers were bus passengers as most tourist buses preferred the Second Link, which was not congested.

“A lot of people complain about the traffic jam in Johor Bahru and prefer to pay a bit more to use this link,” he said, adding that he expected business to pick up soon after the new toll rates start.

For putu mayam seller Jiva Nantam, 45, the Government’s decision was timely as there was a vast difference in toll rates between the Second Link and Causeway.

Lowering the toll rates on the Second Link would be good for our business, he added.

A Singaporean who wished to be known only as Tan, 52, said he used the Second Link only for work as he could claim for the toll.

“During family outings on weekends, I use the Causeway because it is much cheaper,” he said.

He said if the toll rates at the Second Link was made similar to the Causeway, many Singaporeans would likely bypass Johor Baru and head to Malacca and other neighbouring states, adding that this would hurt Johor’s economy.

Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong announced a 30% reduction in toll rates to boost people-to-people relations.

-News courtesy of The Star-