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Many drivers in Malaysia have been eagerly awaiting the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll system, completely removing toll booths to reduce traffic congestion.
The MLFF system is a big part of Malaysia's plan to modernise its highway infrastructure, outlined in the Malaysian ITS Blueprint (2019-2023).
All entry and exit points on highways will become barrier-free lanes. Instead of stopping to pay at a toll booth, sensors will automatically detect your vehicle, and the toll will be charged electronically, similar to how RFID works now, but without needing to slow down or choose a specific lane. The main goal is to reduce traffic jams and make traffic flow much smoother.
However, it seems we might have to wait a bit longer. A Works Ministry official recently told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the MLFF system might only be put in place in 2027 at the earliest, and that's only if the Cabinet gives it the green light.
Why the Delay? It's Complicated
Azman Ibrahim, the Works Ministry's secretary-general, explained that the potential delay depends on the Cabinet's final decision. While a draft plan for how MLFF operates may be ready, the Ministry can't start talking to the private companies that run our highways (called concessionaires) until the Cabinet gives the okay.
Azman noted that once Cabinet approval is given, there will be a lot of back-and-forth discussions with the concessionaires, a formal process for them to find partners to build the system, and the government also needs to set up a new body to oversee everything. Considering all these steps, 2027 is the earliest realistic target for MLFF to actually be up and running.
No Toll Hikes For MLFF
There won't be any financial involvement from the government. Moving forward, any future MLFF implementation must be led entirely by the highway concessionaires themselves.
More importantly, it's been confirmed that the implementation of MLFF will not result in any increase in current toll rates for drivers.
While the MLFF system is a positive step towards reducing car queues at toll booths, it alone won't solve all of our country's highway congestion problems.
A significant challenge remains with the connectivity between our public transport hubs, which isn't as well-connected as it could be, and the frequency of services continues to be an issue. Perhaps with the future introduction of new transit systems like the MRT3 and LRT3 lines, we will see a more substantial leap towards better managing congestion across our nation.
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