Toll

Highway operators have been asked to consider charging different toll rates according to peak and off-peak hour use. The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) suggested the implementation of variable rate system, but said it was ultimately up to the concessionaires to make the final decision if such a move was possible, The Sun reports.

“We call it flexi-rate. Actually, we (the LLM) provide the flexibility to highway concessionaires on how they would like to handle the matter. We have suggested (this to them). We have also suggested many other things, but it is up to them to determine,” LLM director-general Datuk Ismail Md Salleh told the publication in an exclusive interview.

He added that concessionaires might not feel the need to implement such a system at the moment because of prior commitments, such as loans with the banks.

Members of the public interviewed by the publication agreed with the proposal, saying that tolls should be charged at different rates, with cheaper charges during the off-peak hours. Such a move will persuade motorists to use highways during non-rush hours and possibly help reduce traffic congestion during rush hour periods in the morning and evening.

Ismail added that there was no move to charge motorcycles any toll for use on highways. “No, the toll rate will remain the same. If it’s free now, it will remain free. We do not want to upset the system. We only want to change the payment system,” he said, referring to the move from cash payment to a fully electronic toll payment system on highways.

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