Five more highways will implement an open toll payment system, to give vehicle users a choice of toll payment methods.
The highways involved are the Damansara – Puchong Expressway (LDP), the Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal Scheme (SPRINT), the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS), the SMART Tunnel and the Kuala Lumpur – Putrajaya Expressway (MEX).
Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the five highway concession company agreed to participate in the implementation of the system, which will start in mid-September.
He said, the open payment system will be implemented in phases and a total of 11 highways are involved in the implementation of the open payment system, so far.
“The decision to implement the open payment system was reached through various negotiation processes between the Development and Privatization Division of the Ministry of Public Works (KKR) with all stakeholders, including concession companies since 2022.
“Negotiations like this are an ongoing effort of KKR and need to be held to ensure the implementation of the Multi Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) system can be successful,” he said in a statement today.
Nanta said that the effort was also an initial step taken by KKR and the parties involved to ensure the effectiveness of the efficient system in addition to resolving issues that may arise before the full implementation of the MLFF.
“I strongly emphasise this point to ensure that users do not experience any difficulties when the full implementation of the MLFF is soon.
“The location of MLFF’s Proof of Concept (POC) implementation has been decided with the Sungai Besi Highway selected as the first POC location,” he said.
He said, the implementation of the POC will be done at the end of October 2023 to evaluate the MLFF system before it is implemented for all highways in the country.
Nanta said that KKR is also holding negotiations with other concession companies to obtain another highway for the implementation of the MLFF POC and the location of the second POC will be announced in the near future.
“The open payment system and MLFF cannot be implemented overnight. It has to go through various stages.
“The matter is certainly not easy and requires careful planning and the use of appropriate technology as well as negotiations with various parties before it can be fully implemented,” he said.
Therefore, he requested the cooperation of all parties to be patient and give some time to the team at KKR, who are committed to implementing the open payment system, thus ensuring that the MLFF transition can be implemented in phases by the third quarter of 2024 at the latest.
