KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — The Goods Vehicle Levy at the Second Link in Tuas is reduced to RM50 from RM200 with immediate effect, according to Singapore’s Transport Ministry.

The Straits Times reported that the move came from ongoing discussions on efforts to ease congestion at the bridge linking Johor to the island state between transport authorities of the two countries.

"Minister Liow also gave me a heads-up on their Cabinet’s decision to reduce the Goods Vehicle Levy at the Second Link, from RM200 to RM50, while keeping the levy (RM200) unchanged at the Causeway,” Singaporean Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan wrote in a Facebook post yesterday.

Liow refers to Malaysia’s Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The Causeway is the main bridge after Woodlands Checkpoint linking Johor to Singapore.

"They have moved speedily and decisively on this idea. I read from the media reports of their decision to do so immediately,” Khaw noted.

Traffic congestion on the Causeway, which is known to be severe at peak hours, has been a long-standing issue.

In a bid to reduce traffic there, both governments have been trying to get commuters and goods vehicles to use the Second Link at the Tuas Checkpoint.

Drivers have also been encouraged to do so during off-peak hours.

Khaw said Singapore welcomed the levy reduction and his government will monitor to see if the move will have the intended impact.

Vehicles transporting goods leaving Malaysia were previously charged RM200 to cross into Singapore. For vehicles entering Malaysia carrying goods, the fee is RM100.

The levy is part of customs charges.

"It is applied to all goods vehicles, regardless of nationality. There is no such equivalent at Singapore’s end. We do not impose any Goods Vehicle Levy.”