Malaysia’s VEP rollout: Singapore drivers say no reminders issued so far, lighter traffic at Causeway

According to the “Beat the Jam” mobile application, a service which tracks the traffic situation at both the Woodlands Causeway and Tuas Second Link, the estimated time for motorists to travel across both land crossings was between 15 and 20 minutes, significantly below the average of 40 to 50 minutes, based on data from a week ago. 

LIGHTER TRAFFIC, EMPTIER VEP CENTRES

According to a Home Ministry official, traffic volume at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, linked to Woodlands Causeway, was 20 per cent lighter on Tuesday morning, reported Malaysian news outlet The Star. He did not specify the basis of comparison.

The official said that it was too early to say if the dip was because of the VEP implementation. 

Transport minister Anthony Loke had announced in May that Malaysia would require all foreign-registered vehicles entering the country by land from Singapore to use vehicle entry permits (VEPs) from Oct 1. 

The VEP would enable the government to track foreign vehicles that enter or leave the country, and get motorists to settle outstanding fines before they are allowed to leave.

Any foreign motor vehicle without a VEP entering or in Malaysia from that date faced a fine of up to RM2,000 (US$425) or jail of up to six months. 

But many drivers encountered hiccups getting hold of a VEP, and the JPJ announced on Sep 27 that enforcement would be “executed in phases”, starting with reminders and warnings from Oct 1. 

Malaysia has not confirmed when it will fully enforce VEP requirements. 

The crowd at VEP centres in Johor Bahru were also smaller on Tuesday morning compared to previous weeks.  

At the centre in Danga Bay, operated by transport vendor TCSens, there were roughly 40 drivers collecting their tags or making enquiries. When CNA visited the centre two weeks ago, there were at least 100 people, including a long line of drivers waiting for a queue number.   

One of the drivers there on Tuesday morning was Mr Peter Soh, who was there to collect and install his tag.