NUFFNANG

Friday 23 October 2009

Consider this to reduce toll rates... BACA LA!

Consider this to reduce toll rates... BACA LA!

Highways concessionaires have been urged to offer discount on toll fees during festivals and the independence day in line with the 1Malaysia spirit.

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor praised Plus Expressway Berhad (Plus) for offering a 20 discount on toll fees to the North-South and Elite expressways users from midnight to 7am during Aidilfitri and Deepavali holidays recently (read Bernama h e r e...)

NOW, this is what the Cabinet should consider:

First, toll discounts should apply to all users of SmartTag and Touch & Go, at all times as (I believe) they are the ones who are the frequent users of the highways. This will encourage more commuters to subscribe to such applications, thus enhancing toll collection in the long run.

Second, the Cabinet should try to regulate this - all National Cars, especially Proton makes should be given a 50 per cent discount at all toll plazas throughout the year. This will help boost the sales of our National Car towards meeting the challenges of globalisation. Why not?

And third, highway concessionaires should consider 'opening up' areas of interest along their highways. For instance, fruit orchards. I have seen this in South Korea, Iran, Romania and Uruguay. During harvest, commuters may stop by, pluck their own choice of fruits, pay and leave. Dont you think this is impossible?

Let's not brag about how to encourage more people to use the existing highways, We should instead find solution to attract them to ply this highways more often, with considerable toll rate and more attractive 'packages' for them.

I remember a highway stretch from Seoul to Kyongju (120km), we could stop at 6 fruit and flower orchards. It became popular tourist attraction.

We should use our brain, not just the head which houses the brain!

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