Free tolls during festive seasons do not solve traffic congestion on highways, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The deputy prime minister said road users should instead change their behaviour and plans their trips ahead of the festive season.
“The amount of reimbursement in the form of compensation by the government to the toll concessionaire is more than RM35 million per day. Although it does not involve direct cash compensation, the concession has to be extended, and this does not solve the problem of congestion on toll highways,” Zahid said, as reported by Bernama.
It was reported yesterday that the government would no longer offer highway toll exemptions for festive season holidays starting this year. This was the decision of the cabinet following the recommendation of works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. The government will replace the end of highway toll exemptions with a more targeted approach, details of which will be provided later.
Zahid also said road users must change their mentality of expecting discounts or being given free tolls as a “gift”. “When there are no gifts, we must change the way we drive when the festive season arrives,” he added.
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agree to no free toll. the money can let PMX use for travelling around the world or rebuild Gaza.
Congratulations! CNY folks
Please top-up TnG gao2
– free toll … cut
– fuel subsidy … cut
– corrupt leaders … lepas
Now… U know who to vote next
https://paultan.org/2025/01/21/no-more-toll-free-travel-for-festive-seasons-beginning-this-year/
very simple solution to address the high traffic.
Have non peak hours toll at reduced rate and full cost for peak hours. People will arrange their balik kampung timing accordingly.
Then people will complain only T15 and unknown corrupt can be on the road.
Then non-peak end up peaking
Toll rate should be double during festive season to reduce accidents
Have free toll for mid night travels.
This will divert some traffic to non popular hours and ease congestion during the day.
The gov could take that stance when the infrastructure is ample and multiple alternatives exist. As @Sohai mentioned have a tiered system: free, period, half toll period and full toll period. As he mentioned this will distribute the traffic flow over 24 hours. Travellers who put “gifts” as a priority use the free period and others who value time and are willing to pay the full toll may use the peak time and travel smoothly. The statistics will also show what people value the most. You can do these kinds of studies and analysis within our country as we have many festive seasons. You don’t need send a gov team abroad for such studies.
Free tolls should be given on times where there are less traffic like from 11pm to 7am, not 1 and 2 full days before the festival days when people are rushing back. That only add on to the traffic.
Don’t worry folks! at Raya this policy will resume due to “High demand”.
free toll won’t save congestion…true, but since when pay toll no congestion also? roads collect a lot of money but no improvement to cope with the capacity, so at least when it’s free we jam also feel better a bit. understand or not?
Since when toll free reduce congestion. What’s the logic behind it