SINGAPORE : Vehicles entering Singapore after 5 pm on weekdays
will no longer need to pay entry permit fees.
The new ruling, which takes effect from Friday, follows a
successful one month trial to shorten the vehicle entry permit
operating hours on Fridays.
This was to see if the move would attract more visitors into
Singapore.
The Land Transport Authority says it found traffic conditions
remained satisfactory and there was no significant impact to
traffic on the major expressways and roads near the checkpoints and
within the Central Business District.
The Vehicle Entry Permit Scheme was introduced in 1973 to regulate
the entry of foreign-registered cars into Singapore.
It was extended to motorcycles in 1992.
Currently, LTA imposes an entry fee of S$20 a day for cars and S$4
for motorcycles entering the country between 2 am and 7 pm on
weekdays.
Entry into Singapore is free from 7 pm to 2 am the following day on
weekdays and all day on the weekends and public holidays.
With the new ruling, the operating hours are shortened to 5
pm.
The Tourism Board and LTA say this will make it more appealing for
visitors to drive over to Singapore for a visit or to attend
concerts, musicals and other performances.
Those who continue to use their vehicles in Singapore beyond that
day will have to pay the entry permit fees for the subsequent days.
- CNA
