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Source:
www.stb.gov.sg |
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Joint Media Release by STB & LTA |
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New Ten VEP-Free Days Scheme And
Shorter VEP Operating Hours |
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As part of our on-going efforts to make it easier
for visitors coming to Singapore by road, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be introducing the following
initiatives: |
- A new 10 Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)-free
days scheme from 1 June 2005; and
¡¡
- Shortening of the VEP operating hours to end
at 12.00 noon on weekdays for the upcoming June school
holidays, from 30 May to 24 June 2005.
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Under the 10 VEP-free days scheme, drivers of
foreign-registered cars and motorcycles can drive into Singapore without
paying VEP fees for a maximum of 10 VEP-payable days in a calendar year. |
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In conjunction with the upcoming June school
holidays, VEP operating hours on weekdays will also be shortened to end at
12.00 noon, instead of 5.00 pm. In addition, the shorter VEP operating hours
will apply for subsequent June and December school holiday periods in
Singapore. |
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LTA¡¯s Chief Executive, BG (NS) Yam Ah Mee said,
¡°The shortening of the VEP operating hours to end at 5.00 pm on weekdays since
February this year has not caused any significant impact to traffic on the
major expressways and roads near the checkpoints and within the Central
Business District. There was also not much impact on traffic conditions on our
roads when the VEP operating hours ended earlier at 12.00 noon on weekdays
during the last December school holidays. We are therefore supporting STB¡¯s
efforts to bring even more Malaysian visitors to Singapore in the coming years
ahead with the introduction of 10 VEP-free days and the shortening of VEP
operating hours to end earlier at 12.00 noon for the coming June holidays.¡± |
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VEP fees for the subsequent days are still
chargeable if motorists continue to use or drive their foreign-registered
vehicles in Singapore during the VEP operating hours, after they have fully
utilised the 10 VEP-free days within the same calendar year. |
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The normal toll charges for foreign-registered
vehicles1 will still apply. |
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STB¡¯s Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive, Mr Lim
Neo Chian said, ¡°Our visitors, especially our Malaysian friends, will now find
it easier to drive into Singapore on weekdays with the introduction of the 10
VEP-free days and extension of the VEP-free hours. This June, besides a
multitude of activities and fantastic offerings at our Great Singapore Sale,
Singapore will also celebrate the 600th anniversary of the maiden voyage of
the legendary 15th Century Chinese explorer, Admiral Zheng He. Among the key
highlights of this three-month celebration is a first ever blockbuster
showcase of Gavin Menzies¡¯ bestseller ¡®1421 ¨C The Year China Discovered the
World¡¯. We welcome our visitors to share Admiral Zheng He¡¯s explorations with
us.¡± |
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About the VEP scheme |
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The VEP Scheme was introduced in 1973 to regulate
the entry of foreign-registered cars into Singapore. This scheme was
eventually extended to foreign-registered motorcycles in 1992. |
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Foreign-registered cars and motorcycles are
currently allowed free entry into Singapore on weekdays from 5.00 pm to 2.00
am the following day, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Singapore Public
Holidays. The existing VEP fee is S$20 per day for cars and S$4 per day for
motorcycles. |
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1 Toll charges are calculated on a per
trip basis. Motorists have to pay toll charges on arrival and departure from
the Tuas Checkpoint (S$3.20 for cars and S$0.50 for motorcycles) but only on
departure from the Woodlands Checkpoint (S$1.20 for cars only). |
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Source:
Singapore Tourism Board Press Release 19
May 2005 |
New 10 VEP-free Days Scheme & Shorter VEP Operating Hours
