Toll to drop… eventually. (somehow)

This is more for KLites. Paying toll comes naturally these days. We want to get to some place faster, we need to pay toll. Of course, there are times when even when we pay tolls, we are still stuck in a jam. Actually, it’s not advisable to have ever increasing number of cars on the road. Connectivity must be enhanced and instead of driving, more Malaysians should be encouraged to take the public transport instead. Just look at Singapore for a good example. The government made it extremely tough to buy own a car. By the way, Singaporeans still need to walk a bit before they could reach the nearest public transport stop yeah. It does NOT stop right in front of a HDB flat…

Reported in many media including StraitsTimes.com The government has decided to abolish toll charges gradually and in phases. A study is being conducted and is due to be ready by June 2019. However, a source said that one concessionaire has offered to give rebates and discounts to road users in the meantime. Works Minister Baru Bian shared thaty the government would only make a final decision after the study was submitted. He said, “In fact, we are looking at it at the short term, medium term and long term. There are some proposals that are feasible and can be implemented in the immediate future for the short term.” Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng meanwhile said, “I am sure there will be clarity when the announcement is made but until then, please do not speculate.” In November, Works Minister Baru Bian told the Dewan Rakyat that there were 29 highways with tolls in the country. Of the 29, the concession for two would end in 10 years’ time, while agreements for another 16 would end between 11 and 20 years’ time. The remaining 11 are highways where tolls will be collected beyond the next two decades. Article in StraitsTimes.com here.

Attached is the official press release from the Prime Minister’s Department. Message as follows:

PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF TOLLED HIGHWAYS

1. Pakatan Harapan has promised in its election manifesto to take steps to acquire highway concessions and abolish toll collection in stages, in accordance to the terms of the concession agreement.
2. This is to alleviate the high cost of living for commuters.
3. I am pleased to announce that as a first step, the Government has commenced talks with Gamuda Berhad to negotiate the acquisition of highway concession in which the company has a majority stake.
4. The highways are the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (SPRINT), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (KESAS) and SMART Tunnel.
5. Upon successful takeover of the highways, the Government intends to abolish the existing toll mechanism.
6. In its place, a ‘congestion charge’ will be introduced where commuters will only pay a ‘congestion charge’ equivalent to the existing toll for 6 hours of “peak” period a day.
7. During the “off-peak” period between 11pm and 5am, commuters will travel on the highway for free.
8. At other ‘normal’ travelling hours, commuters will enjoy discounted rates up to 30%
   compared to existing toll rates.
9. The revenue collected from the ‘congestion charge’ will go towards the operations and maintenance of the highways and repayment of borrowings.
10. Any surplus collected will then be channeled into a public transportation fund to improve the quality of public transport in Malaysia.
11. Further details on the proposed exercise will be announced by the Finance Minister at the appropriate time.

— end of statement —

written on 23 Feb 2019

Next suggested article: Car vs property? Well car ownership do mean something, get a luxury one please.