Last week was a roller coaster of drama over toll exemptions. First, there was talk of abolishing them entirely.
Then came the buzz about creating a more structured system targeting the B40 and M40 groups. After that, a Cabinet meeting hinted at a possible rethink. What a week!
But the dust has settled, and here’s where we’ve landed: Class One vehicles will get a 50% discount on tolls across Malaysia from 27 to 28 January. Yes, you heard that right—half-price tolls for Chinese New Year!
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi spilled the details, explaining that the discount will apply to all toll plazas nationwide—except for two: the Sultan Iskandar Building toll plaza (North-South Expressway) and the Tanjung Kupang toll plaza (Second Link), which connect Malaysia and Singapore.
This generous move of providing the 50% discount was approved during the 24 January Cabinet meeting, with the government covering a whopping RM20.08 million to compensate toll operators.
“The discount is a continuation of the festive season toll assistance consistently provided by the government for all four major festive seasons in the Peninsular since 2023,” Nanta said.
Since the programme began in 2023, the government has shelled out RM356.18 million for festive season toll discounts. But here’s the twist—2024 will be the final year for this widespread toll relief.
On 21 January, Nanta shared that the Cabinet decided in December 2024 to wrap up the free toll scheme after last Christmas. Moving forward, the government plans to take a targeted approach, likely prioritising the B40 and M40 groups. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim echoed this on 23 January, saying toll exemptions should align with broader subsidy reforms.
So, what now? Nanta urged everyone to make the most of this final hurrah and plan your trips ahead to avoid the holiday traffic chaos.
“Users are advised to download the MYPLUS-TTA app (official) for travel time advisory (TTA) to enhance safety and ensure a smooth driving experience so that we can all safely reach our destinations and fully embrace the spirit of this Chinese New Year celebration.”
And here’s some friendly road advice from the minister:
- Follow the signs and pay attention to the Variable Message System (VMS).
- If you’re using the Smart Lane, signal early, stick to the speed limits, and keep your eyes peeled.
- Stay tuned to real-time traffic updates or highway alerts on Facebook (Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia), X (@LLMtrafik), or TikTok (@llmtrafik).
Need help on the road? Just call the Highway Authority Traffic Management Centre at 1-800-88-7752.
So buckle up, hit the road, and enjoy the discount while it lasts. Happy Chinese New Year, and may your travels be smooth and stress-free!
Source: The Star
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