Oh no, word has it that toll rates for more than 12 major highways nationwide may go up soon!
According to a report by Berita Harian (via NST), the government is deciding on whether toll rates of 16 highways would be increased between 20 sen and RM1 in August this year as the Works Ministry has brought the proposal for the government’s approval at a cabinet meeting.
Note: In November last year, the government had decided to defer the increase of toll rates for 20 highways nationwide although they were expected to be raised this year. Following the postponement, the government had forked out RM558.69 million to compensate the highway concessionaires.
Among the proposed rates, Besraya highway will experience a 70 sen hike from RM1.30 to RM 2, whereas the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) may see a 60 sen increase from RM1.60 to RM2.20. The Damansara-Puchong Expressway could be increased by 50 sen from RM1.60 to RM2.10, while Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE) will also see the same hike from RM2 to RM2.50. The Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR) is also tipped to be raised from RM2 to RM2.50, while the Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK) would be hiked 60 sen from RM 1 to RM1.60.
Other highways to see similar hikes include the Maju Expressway (MEX), The Kajang–Seremban Highway (LEKAS), Cheras-Kajang (Grand Saga) Highway, Kulim-Butterworth highway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), and the East Coast Expressway 1.
To give you a clearer picture (literally) of the increases, refer to the image below, which has been spreading like wildfire on Facebook:
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However, as seen in the image above, the increases did not include the North-South Expressway (NSE).
In a separate report from TRP dated 12th June, major highway concessionaires have claimed that they were not aware of any impending increase in toll rates. Company reps apparently spoke to Bernama and said that there were no official instruction or letter on any increase in toll charges.
On top of that, in a media statement issued about a week ago, the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) did not mention any instruction to concessionaire companies on any increase in toll rates. “As such, any statement or report on toll rates is not true,” said its director-general, Datuk Ismail Md Salleh, adding that for now, the toll rates for all highways remained unchanged.
What do you guys think? How many of you utilise at least 2 of these highways on a daily basis? How badly would it affect you if the toll rates did increase in August this year? With the lack of dependable public transportation in the country, what would you do?
Feel free to discuss this in the comments box below.
Sources: NST, TRP / Featured image from Selangor Kini.
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