When Works Minister S Samy Vellu opened the SMART tunnel on May 14, it was speculated that the toll rate will be around RM4 for the four-kilometre motorway.
"Taking into consideration the amount of time spent and cost to build this tunnel, we should not come to think that the toll rate will be similar to the one imposed on ordinary highways. It will be higher," Samy said.
Today, Samy announces that toll collection at the SMART will start at midnight on Friday and the rate will be announced shortly. When asked whether the toll would be reasonable and not burden the public, Samy called upon the public to be realistic and understand that the cost of construction is higher than other normal highways, hence he can’t guarantee a reasonable toll that’s not going to burden the people.
"I can’t guarantee you that there’ll be a reasonable toll because it cost a lot of money to build the tunnel,"
As the people’s elected representatives, Samy Vellu is being honest to us that he can’t help but to impose higher toll.
I hope Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hears Samy well as average joe like us do not foresee "unreasonable toll" as a wedding gift from the first couple.
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highway charges are expensive…just wondering is the toll concessions still classified under the official secrets act? what happened to the issue?
That is soo typical of Sammy
Highway construction is an expensive affair but I understand in Malaysia, the cost of constructing highways is more costly than many other countries. Perhaps it’s bcause the contractor has to pay for the privilege of doing the job?
well it makes sense what works minister Sammy Value said, saying he cannot guarantee a reasonable toll fee…he stated this due to some confusion he himself was not so sure about the toll rate…due to the fact by the rate the tunnel is performing he was actually speculating the toll for SUBMARINES and not cars.
I can’t guarantee you that there will be a reasonable toll. What is it that he can guarantee as our Minister of Works? Nothing so far…
samy can guarantee you a good laugh whenever he opens his mouth!
Wasn’t there a massive flood in KL on Sunday. I suppose SMARTunnel is not opened for flood mitigation and submarine berthing yet. Sam should write a poem about the tunnel.
Apparently, the SMART tunnel is ready for unreasonable toll collection but not yet ready for flood mitigation. It is a very SMART tunnel after all!
well… to those who’re rushing… RM2 is reasonable… trust me… ppl will use it…