The uniformed toll rate of the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge today has the potential to bring economic growth to the state and reduce traffic congestion on the Penang Bridge

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government's move to rationalize the toll rate of the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge would also reduce the cost of consumers especially those working in Bayan Lepas and Batu Kawan areas.

He said lowering the toll rate from RM8.50 to RM7 for first-class users could encourage the public to use the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge which had previously tended to use the Penang Bridge.

"We can also balance traffic flow and reduce congestion on the Penang Bridge.

"There are many side-effects that will lead to economic growth in the region," he said after reviewing JSAHMS.

At the Budget 2020 presentation earlier, Guan Eng announced that toll rates for the private car category at the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge would be reduced from RM8.50 to RM7 starting January 1, 2020, to standardize the toll rates between Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Bridge Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

Guan Eng said last year almost 10 million users were using the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge and with the toll standardized starting from today it is expected to increase the number of vehicles on the bridge.

"There is more good news for the road users and we hope everyone is will wait patiently for the announcement," he said.