Toll discounts?

SEOUL: The government will soon try to push for motorists to be given discounts on toll rates charged by highway concessionaires during off-peak traffic hours.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said a comprehensive study will be conducted by his ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority before the proposal is forwarded to the respective expressway and highway operators.
"We are willing to listen to suggestions from the public and discuss with the highway concessionaires, but it is up to them. We can't force them since these companies are also answerable to their shareholders," he said during a dialogue session and dinner with Malaysian students at the Malaysian embassy last night.
Fadillah, who is leading Malaysia's delegation at the World Road Congress 2015 in South Korea's largest city, had previously said he has no objection to the idea of frequent-user rebates on tolls.
"There are probably many ways we can do it but perhaps the public, if they have any ideas, can share (them) with the ministry," he had said.
He was responding to remarks made on Tuesday on Twitter by Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan which originated from Twitter handle @coachsamtitan.
The netizen suggested that "before 6am, highway users should be given a discount of up of 40%".
Abdul Rahman has been bombarded with upset netizens on his "get up early if you don't want to pay toll" headline as reported by numerous online portals.
An aide to Abdul Rahman said that the Kota Belud MP's quote was taken out of context and pointed out, "in lieu of tolled road, one can opt to use alternative routes (non-tolled) but it could cost users time to reach the destination".