Passenger car owners will now enjoy a 10 percent discount for traveling between midnight and 7am on the North-South Expressway (Plus) and North-South Expressway Central Link (Elite).

At a joint press conference by Plus and the Works Department this morning, it was also announced that during the festive season, motorists traveling during the same non-peak midnight-7am period would receive an additional 10-percent discount.

plus incentive announcement 181108 launching A six-day additional discount period will take effect during festive seasons of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas.

It was also announced that users of the two highways who spend more than RM200 monthly would be given an additional five percent rebate. This is, however, limited to Touch N' Go card holders and Smart Tag users.

The new system will take effect from Jan 1, 2009 and end in Dec 31, 2010.

The three-prong package, dubbed the Plus Travel Incentive, was unveiled this morning by Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamad, six months after he had announced that the government was studying ways to reduce toll rates.

‘Time of exit'

Speaking at the press conference held at the Works Ministry, Plus managing director Noorizah Abd Hamid clarified that the additional 10 percent discount offered during the festive season was applied to the balance of the first discount.

Effectively this means the total discount works up to only 19 percent - and not 20 percent - during the six-day festive season period.

She added the discount applies to the time of exit from the highways, regardless of the time of entry.

Asked if the new measures would affect Plus' financial gains, Noorizah was unable to comment as she did not have the projected figures.

However she added that the matter was "manageable" because an extra traffic volume was expected following the implementation of the new incentives.

No government compensation

plus incentive announcement 181108 mohd zin Mohd Zin meanwhile stressed that the discount package does not involve any form of government compensation because it was part of Plus' corporate social responsibility.

"This package does not involve government compensation or the extension of the concession period," he said.

The minister also lauded Plus for willing to give out discounts for the benefit of road users and improve local tourism.

"Hopefully, the incentives will also encourage the public to wake up early, get to work early, and increase their working hours to improve productivity," he added.

Mohd Zin also revealed that there were eight highway operators that were unable to reduce toll rates for various reasons ranging from facing problems such as financial difficulties, debt restructuring or were under 'receiver and manager' handling.

Other problems they had cited included concession period ending next year or that they had just commenced operations.

These eight highway were New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (Silk), Western Dispersal Link (Sprint), Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Smart Tunnel, KL-Putrajaya Expressway, North Klang Straits Bypass (Shahpadu) and New North Klang Straits Bypass.

Others must emulate Plus

On the other 14 highway operators, Mohd Zin said that the government cannot compel them to reduce toll rates as it would need the government to compensate them.

However, he urged these companies to emulate Plus in fulfilling corporate social responsibility.

plus highway sg besi 180205 aerial view 02 close up He said that if the government compelled the other highway operators to reduce toll rates without compensation, the companies would not be able to settle their debts and this would severely affect the Malaysian stock markets.

"Plus' efforts should be emulated by highway concessionaires who make a profit. Plus' efforts are extremely welcomed by the government as it shows that the government is always sensitive and responsive to the needs and demands of the people," he added.