Fixing a toll rate of RM 8.50 for cars using the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah(SAHMS) Bridge that is 21.4% higher than the First Penang Bridge will not help to reduce congestion at the traffic choke point of the First Penang Bridge. Furthermore there is no 20% discount for “Touch and Go” card users from Penang unlike that given for the First Penang Bridge for the RM7 toll rate.(RM5.60 for Penangites)
The Malaysian Highway Authority(MHA) announced that the rate is RM1.70 for motorcycle (Class 0); RM8.50 for cars except taxis and buses (Class 1), RM30.50 for two-axle and six-wheeled vehicles except buses (Class 2), RM70.10 for three-axle or more vehicles except buses (Class 3), RM8.50 for taxis (Class 4) and RM26.20 for buses (Class 5).
Already there have been complaints that the landing point of the SAHMS Bridge in Batu Maung on the Penang island is choked with traffic congestion because the access highway roads out to George Town or to Bayan Lepas has still not commenced. This is poor planning and foresight by the authorities because such access highways should have been built at the same time and completed together with the SAHMS Bridge. Instead work is only about to commence for the access highways costing about RM850 million by the end of the year.
MHA should realise that the longer SAHMS Bridge of 24km compared to the First Penang Bridge of 13.5 km means a higher petrol cost for motorists. If the toll rate were the same, motorists may still consider choosing the SAHMS Bridge. However, with a toll rate that is RM1.50 higher than the First Penang Bridge, no 20% discount for Touch & Go users from Penang and the traffic choke points caused by the lack of access highways would cause motorists would shy away from SAHMS and prefer the First Penang Bridge.
How then would this help to reduce traffic congestion on the First Penang Bridge? MHA should consider charging the same toll rate for SAHMS Bridge as the First Penang Bridge until the access highways in Batu Maung are completed in 3 years time. When the access highways are completed, motorists then do not mind paying more provided they can have a smooth ride without traffic congestion.