Cheers for toll-free drive

> Collection ceases at Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau

SHAH ALAM: Accompanied by cheers and applause from the public, many of them motorists, the boom barriers at the Sungai Rasau and Batu Tiga toll plazas were raised for good just after midnight, marking the end of toll collection at the two locations.

The toll collection at the two places had begun on Nov 15, 1993. It has been abolished 20 years earlier than the period set out in the PLUS North-South Expressway concession agreement.

A brief ceremony was held in conjunction with the occasion at the Sungai Rasau Toll Plaza, in the presence of Selangor Barisan Nasional Liaison Committee chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Datuk Ismail Md Salleh.

PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail officially handed over to Ismail the letter of authorisation for the abolition.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had announced the abolition of the toll collection in his Budget 2018 proposal, stating government concern over the cost of living and the need to help improve the people’s quality of life.

Up to 270,000 residents of Shah Alam and Klang are expected to benefit from the toll removal, enabling them to save between RM48.40 and RM126 a month.

The toll rate at Sungai Rasau was RM1 for Class 1 vehicles, RM1.30 for Class 2 vehicles, RM2 for Class 3 vehicles, RM0.40 for taxis and RM0.80 for buses.

The rate at Batu Tiga was RM1.10 for Class 1 vehicles, RM 1.50 for Class 2, RM2.20 for Class 3, RM0.40 for taxis and RM0.90 for buses. – Bernama

PLUS personnel Mohd Amirul Fahmi Samsul 23, removing a boom barrier after the Batu Tiga toll plaza was closed at midnight yesterday in Shah Alam.

A worker removing mannequins from one of the outlets at the mall yesterday.