Selangor Journal
File Picture BERNAMA

Toll rates at PLUS highways reduced from Feb 1

The 18 per cent toll rates cut at all PLUS highways will start as early as February 1, 2020. — Picture by BERNAMA

by Ashwin Kumar

SHAH ALAM, Jan 17 — Toll rates for highways owned by PLUS Malaysia Bhd will be reduced by 18 per cent from February 1, the Prime Minister’s Office said today.

This includes the New Klang Valley Expressway, North-South Expressway Central Link, Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway, East Coast Expressway Phase 2, Seremban-Port Dickson Highway, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway and the Penang Bridge.

The extension of PLUS Malaysia’s concession period for another 20 years from 2038 to 2058 is in line with the decision to reduce toll rates, it said.

This would mean toll rates for PLUS highways are frozen for the next 38 years, starting from this year.

The extension of the concession period also means that the government would not have to compensate PLUS for not increasing its toll rates.

The statement follows Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement on Thursday that the government will keep PLUS, despite receiving takeover offers from private sector players.

Meanwhile, the reduced toll rate is subject to the approval of PLUS’ shareholders – Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Employees’ Provident Fund.

The previous concession agreement stated that toll rates would be hiked in phases.

The government is also expected to save RM42billion throughout the concession period.

“The RM42billion savings can be used by the government for other initiatives that are beneficial for the people,” it said.

PLUS will remain as the operator and will continue to foot the operations cost for maintenance as well as the company’s assets and liabilities.

Khazanah and EPF will maintain ownership over the asset. Khazanah, through UEM Group Berhad, has a 51 per cent stake in PLUS and EPF the rest.

The decision was made after a year-long study and gathering feedback from several parties, including the Works Ministry, the Finance Ministry and Economic Affairs Ministry.

Top Picks

Padu design is top-notch for safety and effectiveness — DOSM

Police arrests French-Israeli man with six guns in Kuala Lumpur

Litrak’s toll rebate prog for Damansara-Puchong Expressway users ends April 1