M-cyclists cheer end of toll on Penang bridges

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s decision to abolish toll for motorcycles using the first and second Penang bridges has been described as “the best news” by motorcyclists.

Those interviewed said it would lessen the burden of motorcyclists who crossed between the island and mainland on a daily basis.

Beverage trader, Salehudin Hyder Ali, said most of the people using motorcycles to travel on the bridge were low-income earners.

“It is a well-thought move, this can ease the burden of the lowincome group.

“In the coming years, we hope the toll is abolished altogether,” the 28-year-old said.

Khairol Fazlini Mohd Hakimi, 31, who works as an assistant restaurant manager said it would enable motorcyclists to use the money saved for upkeep of their vehicles.

Insurance consultant, Azhar Jalaluddin, 27, said the Pakatan Harapan government had taken the first step in fulfilling its preelection promise of abolishing tolls.

“This is a good start to fulfilling the pledge they made before the election.

“I am happy that they thought of the low-income group even though the country is plagued with high debt.

“For the car and other vehicle drivers, we can expect good things to happen in five to six years,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Khairil Azman Dahari, 36, said the government had kept its word by abolishing the toll for motorcycles.

He said the decision to abolish tolls should have been made years ago.

Earlier, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that toll hikes on all highways in the city would be frozen from next year.

He said the decision would cost the government RM700 million.

He said the government would also abolish the motorcycle toll on both bridges connecting Penang and the mainland, as well as the Second Link Expressway in Johor.

The move will cost the government RM20 million a year.