Cheras-Kajang toll concession agreement extended till 2030 (BN - Bandit nation)

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The government has extended its toll concession agreement with Grand Saga Sdn Bhd for the Cheras-Kajang expressway up till 2030, an additional three years from the expected expiration date of the deal with the concessionaire.

In a written reply to Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai today, Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor (picture) said although the original concession agreement was from September 19, 1995 to September 18, 2025, the government had “negotiated” with Grand Saga and decided to extend the deal.

“There are several reasons for the extension — the restructuring of the toll rate on December 13, 2002 where the concession agreement was extended for two years from 2025 to 2027 [and] the issue of traffic leakage in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC). As a solution, the government has agreed to extend the concession agreement for another three years, from 2027 to 2030,” he said.

Shaziman said the total toll collection from the Cheras-Kajang expressway from January 15, 1999 to December 31, 2010 amounted to RM585.5 million, and that it was less than the projected toll collection value which was capped at RM613.4 million.

He said the operational and maintenance cost of the expressway was RM147.3 million.

“Until December 31, 2010 the government has paid Grand Saga Sdn Bhd RM105.15 million in compensation, mostly due to the restructuring of the toll agreement in 2002,” said the Works Minister.

Based on the concession agreement, Shaziman said there will be a toll rate hike for the Cheras-Kajang expressway in the year beginning 2013.

But he quickly added that the government was currently studying other available options to “lighten” the burden of motorists who used the expressway.