No toll hikes this year, says Works Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no toll fare hike this year as the postponement of the toll rate increase, which was implemented throughout 2021, will continue for 2022, says the Works Ministry.

Last year, the government postponed the scheduled toll rate increase for three highways for the period from Jan 1 to Dec 31, and also postponed the toll fare hike for 26 other highways, said the Ministry.

“The government has decided to restructure the toll rates and this is to be negotiated with the highway concessionaires and must be finalised before 2023.

“Throughout the negotiation period, the gazetted toll rates are maintained and the postponement of the toll rate increase will be continued for 2022,” said the Works Ministry in a parliamentary written reply.

This was in response to a question by Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) who asked the Works Ministry to state the status of toll fare hike which was postponed in 2021 and whether the hike will be implemented in 2022.

The Works Ministry added that based on the concession agreement signed, should the government implement toll fares lower than the agreed rate or abolish toll collection, the government would have to pay compensation to the concession company.

Last year, the government postponed the scheduled increase in toll rates for three major highways, which was supposed to take effect on Jan 1, 2021, involving Shah Alam Highway (Kesas), South Klang Valley Highway (SKVE) and East Coast Highway Phase 2 (LPT2).

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the Cabinet made the decision in view of the rising cost of living due to the Covid-19 pandemic.