Millions of Malaysian motorists using highways managed by Plus Malaysia Bhd (Plus) are to enjoy an 18 percent reduction in toll rates beginning today.

Based on calculations made by the government, through the concession restructuring of Plus, both the government and the people would see a total savings of up to RM1.1 billion for this year alone.

With this restructuring, the government will be able to save some RM42 billion in the span of the new concession period of up to 2058.

These include a saving of RM0.5 billion from the 18 percent discount as well as a saving of RM0.6 billion from the government compensation payments to freeze the toll rate hike.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (above) said the savings would be channelled to welfare and economic development programmes that would benefit the people as a whole.

"With the reduction in toll rates effective from Feb 1, 2020, the government has taken significant steps towards fulfilling the promise to gradually eliminate tolls by renegotiating the highway concession agreement, as promised in the Pakatan Harapan's manifesto," he said.

The Cabinet meeting on Jan 15, 2020, decided that the 18 percent toll discount will be given to passenger cars, buses and taxis (i.e class 1, 4 and 5) on the following highways:

New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE)
North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE)
Malaysia-Singapore Second-Link Highway (LINKEDUA)
Phase 2 East Coast Expressway (LPT 2)
Seremban Port Dickson Highway (SPDH)
Butterworth – Kulim Expressway (BKE)

The discount is also applicable to class 2, 3, 4 and 5 vehicles plying the Penang Bridge.

With the toll reduction effective today, the toll rate dropped from 13.6 sen/km to 11.15 sen/km, lower than the toll rate in 1999 which was 11.24 sen/km.

Starting today, motorists travelling from Jalan Duta to Alor Setar will only pay RM45.50 compared to RM55.50 previously, while those going to Skudai from Jalan Duta will only pay RM38.50 from RM47.00.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Plus said the company would continue to provide the best services on all its highways to ensure a pleasant travelling experience for its customers. - Bernama