SINGAPORE, Nov 4 — Singapore will consider a proposal on revising free entry time for Malaysian cars entering the republic.

Speaking in the Parliament today, Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew said: “I note the Member’s suggestion on revising the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) – free periods.” “We will consider this and also the possibility of Malaysia implementing its proposed charge on non-Malaysia-registered vehicles entering Malaysia,” he said in an oral reply.

Member of Parliament Dr Lee Bee Wah had asked the minister whether the ministry would consider revising the free entry time for Malaysian cars into Singapore on weekdays to be after 7pm instead of the current 5pm.

This is to be in alignment with the current scheme for local vehicles which under the Off-Peak Car scheme are allowed on the road only after 7pm and most Electronic Road Pricing gantries stop charging motorists only after 8pm.

According to Lui, the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee aims to minimise the cost difference between owning and using a foreign-registered vehicle and a Singapore-registered vehicle in Singapore.

“The framework, however, provides for VEP free hours and days such as weekends when the traffic on our roads is less heavy, so as not to unduly discourage foreigners from visiting Singapore,” he said.

Currently, he said about one in ten foreign-registered cars entering Singapore need to pay the VEP fee.

Lui said the average daily number of foreign cars entering Singapore on weekdays and weekends is 10,900 and 12,100 respectively over the six months from April to September 2014.

The corresponding figures last year were 11,900 and 13,600 respectively. — Bernama