TRAFFIC at the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge could see an increase in volume following the reduction on its toll rate for cars.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said motorists who used the bridge could enjoy the benefit.
“The toll rate is reduced from RM8.50 to RM7.
“We foresee that more motorists would be using the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge, hence, dispersing the traffic volume on the Penang Bridge.
“This will also help to promote economic growth in Batu Kawan,” Lim told a press conference in Bayan Lepas today.
The Malaysia Budget 2020 tabled by Lim on Oct 11 last year saw the toll rate for Class 1 private vehicles at the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge reduced from RM8.50 to RM7 beginning Jan 1 this year.
It was part of the standardisation exercise of toll charges for Class 1 private vehicles.
A total of 9.7 million vehicles used the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge in 2018 while 9.5 million users were recorded from January to November last year.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee