Road users for, against new mechanism

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s move to abolish the toll mechanism on four tolled expressways received mixed reactions from motorists.

A commuter named Chrisy, who uses the Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (SMART) to travel between Ampang and the city centre for work, said the move was good as it helped road users to plan their journey.

She said the move would control the traffic flow in the tolled highways.

“I think it is a good move as these four highways are the most congested routes for commuters in the Klang Valley.

“With this move, commuters can plan their journey. They can leave their homes earlier, like before 5am, if they want to avoid paying the congestion charge,” said the 30-year-old designer.

Another commuter, Mohd Rashiman Rasit, who occasionally travels from Kuala Lumpur to Sungai Besi via the SMART Tunnel, also commended the government’s decision.

“It is a good move. I spend more than RM50 every month on tolls,” he said, while praising the government’s effort to reduce the toll rates in stages.

However, he questioned the decision to have a toll-free period between 11pm and 5am.

“Who travels during the wee hours?”

A mother of three, who wanted to be known only as Norakmar, 45, disagreed with the new mechanism for the tolls.

She said the government should instead fulfil its promises as stated in its manifesto to abolish the toll.

“The new toll mechanism will be a burden for me as I still need to pay for tolls during peak hours.

“Why would I want to travel at midnight or in the wee hours?

“I think the government should sort it out with a more inclusive mechanism. I’m afraid the congestion charge would put more burden on commuters like myself,” said Norakmar, who uses the four tolled routes.