No toll hike for six highways, says PM

PETALING JAYA: The toll rates on six highways in the Klang Valley will remain unchanged until the end of the concession period – with three likely to see the toll lifted earlier.

Three others, however, may see an extension, although much will depend on the traffic volume.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who announced a restructuring of four highway concession companies today, said it would also save the government about RM4.3bil in toll subsidy.

“The government has agreed to the proposed restructuring of four Klang Valley highway concessionaires.

“This is after undertaking a thorough study on all aspects which include consumer cost, concession agreement obligations and the government’s financial burden.

“Through this restructuring, toll rates will not be increased and will remain the same until the end of the concession.

“We will be able to save on compensation payments from Jan 1, 2022 until the end of the concession period,” Ismail Sabri said in a statement.

The four highway companies are Kesas Sdn Bhd which manages Kesas, Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd which manages the SMART Tunnel, Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat Sdn Bhd which manages the three SPRINT (Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal Scheme) highways and Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd which manages the LDP.

Under the current agreement, the concession period for the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) is scheduled to end in six years, while that of Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) is due to end in eight years. Both may see extensions.

Of the three highways under SPRINT, the Penchala link may also see an extension.

However, toll collection on SPRINT Pantai and SPRINT Damansara, both scheduled to end in 2034, and the SMART tunnel toll, due to end in 2042, may be lifted early.

“The RM4.3bil savings on toll subsidy payments can be channelled to projects that will benefit the rakyat,” said Ismail Sabri.

According to sources, toll collection on all six highways may end simultaneously in 2032.

As such, it is believed that LDP, Kesas and Penchala Link of SPRINT (end date 2031) may see extensions to 2032.

As for toll on SPRINT Pantai and SPRINT Damansara, which are both scheduled to end in 2034, there is a likelihood that it will end two years earlier while the SMART tunnel toll, due to end in 2042, may be lifted 10 years early.