Plan your travels, DPM says after govt ends toll-free rides during festivities

Summary

• Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urges motorists to plan their journey accordingly as the government would no longer provide toll waivers during festivities.

• Zahid says toll waivers result in highway concessions being extended.

• He also says toll waivers do not help alleviate traffic woes.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said motorists will have to plan their journey accordingly as the government will no longer provide toll waivers during festivities.

“What is important now is for us to change our road usage behaviour instead of relying on toll waivers as gifts,” he told the press today.

Earlier today, Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government has decided to end toll-free travel during festive seasons and will instead introduce a “more targeted approach”.

“According to the decision, there will be no toll waivers, and 2024 was the last year for the provision of toll-free travel during festive seasons.

“The government has also streamlined subsidies for a more targeted approach to benefit Malaysians, with the details to be announced soon,” Nanta was reported as saying.

Financial, traffic issues

Elaborating, Zahid said the government usually would have to pay highway concessionaires more than RM35 million a day during festive seasons due to the toll waiver.

Though the compensation does not involve direct cash payment, it revolves around extending the highway operators’ concession period.

“Plus, it doesn’t help alleviate traffic congestion on the highways.

“So, we made this decision based on the recommendations made by the works minister.

“And I urge motorists to plan their travel schedule accordingly,” the Bagan Datuk MP remarked.

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