GEORGE TOWN: The recent toll concession extension showed that the Pakatan Harapan government performed better than the previous administration, Lim Guan Eng said.

The finance minister remarked that the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government had only extended the concession period but never offered toll rates reduction.

“The previous government extended the concessions until 2038 where it should have ended by 2018. They also added that the toll increase would be much lower.

“There was never any toll reduction. This is the first time the toll charges have been reduced after the concessions were extended,” he said at a press conference after launching the Bukit Gelugor Customs Department housing unit’s lift, here, today.

Passenger vehicles plying through highways operated by PLUS Malaysia Bhd (Plus) will enjoy a reduction of 18 per cent in rates as early as Feb 1.

The Prime Minister’s Office in a statement said the Cabinet had on Wednesday made the decision, and it was as announced during the 2020 Budget last year.

The highways involved are the North-South Expressway (NSE) including New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), North-South Expressway Central Link (NSECL) or the ELITE Highway, Malaysia-Singapore Second Link (LINKEDUA), East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2), Seremban-Port Dickson Highway (SPDH), Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE) and the Penang Bridge.

The statement said in line with the decision, Plus would be given a 20-year extension of the toll concession from 2038 to 2058.

Lim said that the rates would remain until 2058.

“We want to ensure the benefiting party from the discount is the people. But the previous government allowed private companies to enjoy (the benefits instead),” he added.

Lim was also asked about the toll rates for Penangites at the Penang Bridge after the 18 per cent discount.

Currently, Penangites are enjoying a 20 per cent discounted rate of RM5.60 instead of RM7 per entry.

He was asked if there would be an additional 18 per cent on top of the existing 20 per cent.

“We will let Plus clarify on this,” he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/557606/20-18-toll-discount-penang-bridge-plus-will-clarify-says-lim