Causeway strike, factory workers walk to work
Astro Awani
Ogos 1, 2014 07:06 MYT
Ogos 1, 2014 07:06 MYT
CONGESTION: At 9.40am, the Singapore Land Transport Authority reported that half of the 160, 170 and 170X buses had resumed operations while the 950 buses were fully operating.
The traffic congestion which occurred due to the strike by bus drivers early this morning has caused many workers to walk to work in Singapore.
Buses ferrying factory workers stopped their services at the Johor Customs entrance as a sign of protest against the increase of Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) charges.
One of the workers involved, Nandini Rajah, 31, said the traffic congestion began around 4.40am.
"That's the time when I go to work. The street was crowded, all the bus stopped, refusing to continue the journey at the Customs' entry points," Nandini said when contacted by Astro AWANI.
Nandini said, she and her friends initially waited for the buses to resume operation, but later decided to walk to work.
Thousands walked heading to Singapore – Photos by Nandini
People stranded in the traffic this morning
Thousands of factory workers were also seen walking at about 6am to Singapore to their respective work places.
Nandini said, the walk to their factories took about 30 to 40 minutes.
Members of the public also tweeted their frustration over the incident that went viral on social media.
At about 10.30am, the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) in its official Twitter account said all the 160, 170, 170X and 950 buses had resume operations.
Prior to this, Singapore had announced an increase in VEP charges of RM51.40 to RM90 daily.
Meanwhile, the new toll rates for vehicles towards Malaysia in Class 1 to Class 5 are RM9.70, RM14.70, RM19.70, RM4.80 and RM7.80 while the leaves toll is RM6.80; RM10.20, RM13.60, RM3.40 and RM5.50, respectively.