GEORGE TOWN (Apr 1): Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) today defended its toll rate for Penang's second bridge (Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge (SAHMS).    

Managing director Datuk Ir Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib said some may argue that the toll of RM8.50 is RM1.50 or 21.4 per cent higher than the first bridge.

But he said the distance over water for the new bridge is16.9 kilometre, twice the length of the first bridge.   

"If a comparison is to be made based on cost per kilometre, the new bridge is cheaper at RM0.50 per kilometre compared to RM0.84 per kilometre on the first bridge," he said in a statement here today.   

He said although the new bridge is longer, it would not affect fuel consumption much, as vehicles tend to burn more fuel on a slow moving congested road in contrast to a smooth drive on a longer route.  

He also said that heavy vehicles have unrestricted access to the SAHMS bridge at any time of the day.   

On the first Penang bridge, heavy vehicles are banned between 6.30 am and 8.30 am as well as from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Dr Ismail said motorists would also have to pay toll for the purpose- built road linking the existing Plus Expressway to the bridge at the new SAHMS interchange.   

"Starting today, motorists on the new bridge will pay the toll upon entry to Penang island at the SAHMS toll plaza and also at the Bandar Cassia integrated toll plaza," he said.  

Earlier, the Malaysian Highway Authority had announced that the rate was RM1.70 for motorcycles (Class 0); RM8.50 for cars except taxis and buses (Class1), RM30.50 for two-axle and six-wheeler 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).