Government Begins Discussions To Acquire And Abolish Tolls On LDP, SPRINT, KESAS, SMART Tunnel

In an effort to reduce the living cost of highway users, the Pakatan Harapan government mentioned in its election manifesto that it will acquire highway concessions and abolish tolls in stages.

Following the announcement, the government issued a statement recently that it has begun talks with Gamuda Bhd to negotiate the acquisition of highway concession for four main highways as part of its promise.

The four highways include the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (SPRINT), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (KESAS), and the SMART Tunnel.

Once the acquisition from Gamuda is done successfully, the government will then abolish the existing tolls on these highways in stages.

However, a congestion charge which is equivalent to the existing toll rates will be implemented for six “peak” hours a day.

As for the “off peak” periods between 11pm and 5am, highway users can travel for free.

At other normal travelling hours, highway users will enjoy discounted rates of up to 30% compared to existing toll rates.

It is said that the revenue collected will be channelled towards the operation and maintenance of the highways and repayment of borrowings.

Besides that, additional revenue will be channelled into a public transportation fund to improve the quality of public transport.

Further details revolving around this matter will be announced by the Ministry of Finance in the near future.