No More Free Tolls: Deputy Prime Minister Advises Road Users to Plan Ahead
End of the "Gift" Era
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on road users to stop expecting toll exemptions as a gift from the government during the festive season. In a Bernama report, he emphasized that road users should no longer view the festive season as a period to receive "gifts" in the form of toll exemptions.
Changing the Way We Drive
Zahid advised road users to plan their trips in advance, particularly during the festive season. "When there are no ‘gifts’, we must change the way we drive (plan trips) when the festive season arrives," he said. "As toll users, we must schedule our trips to our hometowns or other destinations."
The Cost of Toll Exemptions
The Deputy Prime Minister revealed that the government had to reimburse highway concessionaires more than RM35 million a day when toll exemptions were given during festive periods. Although this does not involve direct cash compensation, the concession has to be extended, he explained during an event in Putrajaya.
A More Targeted Approach
Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi announced earlier that Putrajaya would replace toll exemptions during the festive season with a "more targeted approach". The government had decided to abolish toll exemptions during festive seasons at a Cabinet meeting last year. This move is part of a broader effort to make the country’s transportation system more efficient and sustainable.
Conclusion
The end of toll exemptions during the festive season marks a significant change in the way road users approach their daily commutes. With the government’s new approach, it is crucial for road users to plan their trips in advance to avoid congestion and other travel disruptions. By doing so, we can reduce our reliance on toll exemptions and promote a more sustainable and efficient transportation system.
FAQs
Q: Why did the government decide to end toll exemptions during the festive season?
A: The government decided to end toll exemptions during the festive season to promote a more targeted approach to transportation and reduce the financial burden on highway concessionaires.
Q: How much did the government have to reimburse highway concessionaires daily when toll exemptions were given during festive periods?
A: The government had to reimburse highway concessionaires more than RM35 million a day when toll exemptions were given during festive periods.
Q: What is the alternative to toll exemptions during the festive season?
A: The government will replace toll exemptions with a "more targeted approach" to transportation, which aims to promote a more efficient and sustainable transportation system.