My daily commute from Puchong to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre has become a masterclass in frustration.
The perennial gridlock on federal roads, now exacerbated by the ill-conceived, newly implemented bus lanes on Jalan Puchong and Jalan Kelang Lama that see surprisingly few buses, has made the drive unbearable.
This has left many of us with no choice but to consider tolled highways, despite the cost.
Often, navigation apps suggest the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) as a faster alternative. However, the additional RM3.50 toll fee is a significant deterrent.
I believe this sentiment is widely shared. From my vantage point of the stalled traffic below, it’s striking to observe the SPE – even during peak hours – has carriageways that remain conspicuously empty.
This raises a serious question: is the RM3.74bil SPE becoming a white elephant?
It is shocking to see Malaysians, who are typically drawn to new roads, overwhelmingly rejecting this one.
The contrast is jarring: SPE looks as quiet as Kuala Lumpur on the first day of a major festival, while the city streets beneath it are paralysed by the overwhelming volume of vehicles.
The expressway has a 53-year concession period.
A proactive solution is needed.
I urge the concessionaire and the relevant authorities to consider dynamic pricing.
Would the company not be better off with a higher volume of users at a slightly lower rate?
Introducing a discounted toll of, say, RM2 during morning and evening peak hours could incentivise drivers to use the SPE.
This would provide much-needed relief to commuters, increase the highway’s utilisation and likely boost the concessionaire’s overall revenue – a win-win scenario.
I hope the Malaysian Highway Authority will look into this issue.
The SPE represents a massive public infrastructure investment.
It is in everyone’s interest that it serves its purpose: to alleviate Kuala Lumpur’s chronic traffic congestion and not to become another monument to poor planning or high costs.
Susai Anthony Muthu
Bandar Puchong Jaya
