SHAH ALAM, 1 Jan 2017:
Accompanied by cheers and applause from the public, many of them motorists, the boom barriers at the Sungai Rasau and Batu Tiga toll plazas were raised for good just after midnight – marking the end of toll collection at the two locations.
And the abolition of the Bukit Kayu Hitam toll collection – which also took effect midnight – will boost development in the dynamic border town after 32 years.
The toll collection at the two places in Selangor had begun on 15 Nov 1993. It has been abolished 20 years earlier than the period set out in the PLUS North-South Expressway concession agreement.
At the Sungai Rasau toll plaza, PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail officially handed over to Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Datuk Ismail Md Salleh the letter of authorisation for the abolition of toll at the two places.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced the abolition of the toll collection in his Budget 2018 proposal, stating government concern over the cost of living and the need to help improve the quality of life of the people.
Up to 270,000 residents of Shah Alam and Klang are expected to benefit from the abolition of the toll, enabling them to save between RM48.40 and RM126 a month.
The toll rate at Sungai Rasau was RM1 for Class 1 vehicles (vehicles with 2 axles and 3 or 4 wheels excluding taxis), RM1.30 for Class 2 vehicles (vehicles with 2 axles and 5 or 6 wheels excluding buses), RM2 for Class 3 vehicles (vehicles with 3 or more axles), RM 0.40 for taxis and RM0.80 for buses.
The rate at Batu Tiga was RM1.10 for Class 1 vehicles, RM 1.50 for Class 2 vehicles, RM2.20 for Class 3 vehicles, RM 0.40 for taxis and RM0.90 for buses.
Following the abolition of the toll collection, the operation and maintenance of Federal Highway Route 2 will come under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department.
Meanwhile, Bukit Kayu Hitam state assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar said the toll abolition would attract more visitors from neighbouring countries, thus boosting the Duty-Free Town, and Technology and Science Park upon their realisation.
“We are confident that the arrival of more tourists from the neighbouring countries will increase the revenue flow of foreign funds from overseas and at the same time, improve the standard of living of the people through trade activities.”
He said the abolition of the toll which he had long fought for, would help the people and traders who commute in the area for business and tourism.
“We have been fighting for it for more than 10 years as the toll was a burden to the people…so the decision shows the sensitivity of the government towards the state government.”
– Bernama