Latest news with #ALR
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Merdeka travel pass for unlimited use of SMART tunnel
KUALA LUMPUR: Toll highway concessionaire Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat Berhad (ALR) has introduced the Smart Unlimited Travel Pass or Merdeka Unlimited Travel Pass (MUTP), offering one month of unlimited use of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART Tunnel) in conjunction with National Day and Malaysia Day. Available from Aug 16 to Sept 16, the pass can be purchased for a one-off payment of RM68. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the MUTP reflected the inclusive and people-centred approach envisioned under the Malaysia Madani principles which prioritise inclusivity and the well-being of the rakyat. 'ALR's initiative allows frequent SMART Tunnel commuters to save up to RM64 a month compared with the average monthly toll payment of RM132. 'The launch of this travel pass is very meaningful in the spirit of celebrating our 68th National Day and Malaysia Day. 'This one-month offer sends a clear message that public facilities can and should be provided in an inclusive and people-centred manner, consistent with the Malaysia Madani principles. 'In addition, the Works Ministry, through the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), fully supports the government's aspiration to provide the best facilities for the rakyat, especially highway users. The MUTP is an excellent example of such an initiative,' he said after officiating at the MUTP launch at the SMART Management and Tunnel Operations Complex here yesterday. Also present were MHA director-general Datuk Sazali Harun and ALR Group CEO Muhammad Nizam Alias. Nanta said SMART Tunnel commuters typically make about 44 trips a month, with a one-way toll of RM3. 'Through the MUTP, users will enjoy savings of up to RM64, as the average monthly toll can reach RM132 at the standard rate. 'It also provides quick access to the city centre via the SMART Highway, which handles an average of 19,000 vehicles daily, while maintaining the world's only dual-function tunnel that combines road traffic and floodwater management. 'This initiative shows how industry players, especially in infrastructure, can take proactive steps to help the rakyat manage the cost of living, particularly in urban areas,' he said. He added that the MUTP not only strengthens public trust in the highway sector but also aligns with Malaysia Madani's emphasis on balancing economic growth with social justice, while promoting respect and compassion in service delivery. 'The SMART Tunnel remains one of the nation's best engineering achievements, proven to have a significant impact on flood management and urban mobility. 'It is not merely an infrastructure project but also a symbol of Malaysian innovation recognised internationally, with accolades such as the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, the British Construction Industry Award and the Asean Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award, and listed by CNN among the 'Most Impressive Tunnels in the World'. 'By managing infrastructure, social values, and governance holistically, it has delivered multiple benefits to the rakyat and the nation, strengthening security and sustainability in line with the Malaysia Madani vision,' he said. On a related note, Nanta said there would be no free toll for National Day as the exemption is limited to one festive day.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Smart Merdeka Pass offers 50% toll savings for KL commuters
KUALA LUMPUR: Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat Berhad (ALR) has introduced the SMART Merdeka Unlimited Travel Pass (MUTP) to celebrate National Day and Malaysia Day. Priced at RM68, the pass will be available from August 16 to September 16, offering nearly 50% savings for SMART Tunnel users. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi called the MUTP a people-focused initiative reflecting Malaysia MADANI's inclusive values. He stated that frequent commuters using the tunnel around 44 times monthly could save up to RM64 compared to standard toll expenses of RM132. The pass also ensures quicker access to the city centre via a highway handling 19,000 vehicles daily. Nanta highlighted that the SMART Tunnel remains the world's only dual-purpose structure for traffic and flood management. He added that the initiative shows how infrastructure players can ease public financial burdens, particularly in urban areas. Such programmes boost trust in the highway sector while aligning with Malaysia MADANI's goals of economic and social balance. The MUTP is available at 12 SMART Highway toll lanes, the SMART Toll Plaza counter, and Dataran Singgahsana in TRX. - Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Smart unlimited monthly travel pass for RM68 for Merdeka
KUALA LUMPUR: Highway concessionaire Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat Bhd (ALR) has launched the Smart Unlimited Travel Pass or Merdeka Unlimited Travel Pass (MUTP) for one month in conjunction with National Day and Malaysia Day. The travel pass, valid from Aug 16 to Sept 16 can be purchased for a one-off payment of RM68 for users of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart). Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said the launch of the MUTP proves that public facilities can be offered in an inclusive and people-centred spirit, in line with the Malaysia Madani principles that prioritise inclusivity and the well-being of the people. "ALR's initiative allows frequent Smart users who commute to work daily to enjoy savings of up to RM64 a month, compared with the average monthly toll payment which can reach RM132. "The launch of this travel pass is very meaningful in the spirit of celebrating our 68th National Day and Malaysia Day. "This one-month offer also clearly sends the message that public facilities can and should be provided with an inclusive and people-centred spirit, consistent with the Malaysia Madani principles that prioritise inclusivity and the well-being of the people. "In addition, the Works Ministry through the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), always supports the government's aspiration to provide the best facilities to the people, especially highway users. Thus, the MUTP is an excellent example of such an initiative," he said. Nanta said this after officiating the MUTP Launch Ceremony in conjunction with the 68th Independence Day at the Smart Management and Tunnel Operations Complex here today. Also present were MHA director-general Datuk Sazali Harun; and ALR Group chief executive officer, Muhammad Nizam Alias. Nanta said that, on average, commuters using the Smart Tunnel to travel to work daily make around 44 trips a month (one-way fare RM3). "In addition (to the savings through MUTP), it provides fast access to the city centre via the Smart Highway, which accommodates an average of 19,000 vehicles per day, while supporting the operation of the world's only dual-function tunnel combining traffic passage and floodwater management. "This initiative demonstrates how industry players, especially in the infrastructure sector, can take proactive steps to help the people manage the cost of daily living, particularly in urban areas," he said. Nanta added that the MUTP not only strengthens public trust in the highway industry, but is also in line with the Malaysia Madani principle that emphasises a balance between economic growth and social justice, while fostering values of respect and compassion in service delivery. "The Smart Tunnel service provided today is one of the country's best engineering facilities, proven to have a significant impact in flood management as well as improving urban mobility. "The Smart Tunnel is not merely an infrastructure project, but also a symbol of local innovation recognised internationally, among others by the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, the British Construction Industry Award, the Asean Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award, and listed by CNN as one of the 'Most Impressive Tunnels in the World'.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Barnama
ALR Launches RM68 SMART Merdeka Pass With 50 Pct Savings
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat Berhad (ALR) launched the SMART Merdeka Unlimited Travel Pass (MUTP) today, in conjunction with the 2025 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations. Priced at RM68, the pass will be available from Aug 16 to Sept 16, offering nearly 50 percent savings for users of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART). Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi described the MUTP as a people-centric initiative that embodies the inclusive spirit of Malaysia MADANI, prioritising public well-being. 'Daily commuters who use the tunnel, about 44 times a month, can save up to RM64, as average monthly toll expenses can reach RM132. 'It also provides faster access to the city centre via a highway that carries an average of 19,000 vehicles daily, while supporting the operation of the world's only dual-purpose tunnel combining traffic and floodwater management,' he said at the launch. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the initiative demonstrates that industry players, particularly in the infrastructure sector, can take proactive steps to help the public manage daily living expenses, especially in urban areas. 'Such programmes not only strengthen public confidence in the highway industry but also align with the Malaysia MADANI principles, which emphasise a balance between economic growth and social justice, while fostering respect and compassion in service delivery,' he said. The MUTP can be purchased at 12 SMART Highway toll lanes from Kuala Lumpur (northbound) and Sungai Besi (southbound), at the SMART Toll Plaza sales counter, and the Dataran Singgahsana exhibition area in Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). -- BERNAMA
Vancouver Sun
02-08-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Big road extension project in Surrey drawing mixed reviews
Surjit Singh Sanghera says he has felt only 'shanti,' or peace, after spending more than 45 years living on a quiet farm in Surrey at the end of a road, surrounded by agricultural land. The blueberry farmer says his four children have all moved away, allowing him and his wife to enjoy the quiet bliss. He hopes to someday pass on the property to his children and grandchildren, who enjoy running around freely when they come to visit. 'I've been living here for so long. Everything is so close by: stores, pharmacy, gas station, the Gurdwara. It's so close to town. Now, it's nice and quiet, kids can run around and play,' he says. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'But soon we'll have to fence it or supervise it a lot more … We have to change with the times I guess. I've been here so long, I've got so many memories, so it's not going to be easy.' Sanghera says a major road-extension project planned by the city means a portion of the land he farms will be paved over. It threatens to reduce his berry production and the tranquillity he's grown accustomed to. 72nd Avenue is a major road that begins just off Highway 91 in Delta and runs east to 152nd Street in Surrey. The corridor takes commuters past homes, schools, including a university, a strip mall and the busy Newton Exchange bus loop before closing out at 152nd Street. Sanghera's property sits just off the intersection where the road comes to an end. This past week, Surrey council voted to begin preliminary work to extend 72nd Avenue another five kilometres east to Pacific Highway, an area almost entirely covered by agricultural land. The city says the intent of the project is to alleviate congestion by creating two travel lanes in each direction, improve ditches and widen the road's shoulders to allow oversized farm vehicles to use the road without impeding other traffic. Although the area falls within the Agricultural Land Reserve, the city says there is a 20-metre-wide, road allowance through the five-kilometre area between 152nd Street and Hwy. 15 that was established in 1875. Since some protected ALR land would be lost, the Agricultural Land Commission said the city is required to submit an application before proceeding with the construction, which it hasn't done yet. Up to 12 hectares of ALR-protected farmland will be lost in the road project, the city said Thursday. Another half hectare may be used to build an intersection at Pacific Highway, but that idea is still under consideration. An application to the ALC for the larger phase of the road extension is being worked on, the city said, while approval for the preloading — improving the stability of the surface by compressing the ground under tonnes of crushed rock — from 152nd to 156th streets has been granted. Surrey city council has boasted the road extension project is part of the 'largest municipal road investment in B.C.'s history.' The city estimates that it will cost $138 million, with a completion date sometime next year. Sanghera said his farm stands to lose up to 1,000 blueberry plants, some that are years old and fully grown. 'They got the road allowance so they're going to do it anyways. Doesn't matter if I like it or not,' he said, as customers stopped by to buy berries by the pound. A wooden stake with a pink cloth tied to the top has been placed on his property. Another stake sits just off his property by the ditch, indicating where construction will take place. 'My property is narrow and long so once they take the road allowance, (they have to encroach on) my own property even more for a roadway to go back and forth. It's going to affect me,' he added. He's been told he will be compensated for any plants removed from his property, but likely not the plants lost in the road allowance. The project isn't bad news for everyone. Hunters Garden Centre and Flower Shop owner Miles Hunter sees the road extension as a benefit to his business, located on 152nd Street and 72nd Avenue. With more traffic able to come from both directions after the project's completion, Hunter says more customers may come as a result. 'I expect it's going to bring some new customers to our area and it's going to improve traffic flow and I think that my suppliers — I have a lot of suppliers in Langley, Abbotsford, Aldergrove — will be able to access and ship to my business more easily,' Hunter said. 'I'm optimistic. 152nd Street and 72nd Avenue are both very busy roads and … so is 64th Avenue. In fact, overly busy, and it's going to provide some relief from that.' Dairy farmer Brian Livingston says if and when the city applies to the ALC for approval of the bulk of the project, the commission should consult with local farmers before giving the go-ahead. He says his 40-hectare farm along the Pacific Highway will be affected by the road extension, as it will split his land and make it difficult to travel between fields. 'We don't know about compensation. We've seen a design, but nothing as a proposal to us,' Livingston said, adding he is left with many uncertainties. 'If the ability for me to farm becomes unfarmable then that should make a difference on the ALC's decision,' he said, adding the road would disrupt his ability to bring the milk from one field to another. Whether he will be provided with some sort of crossing is another unanswered question. He is skeptical how much support he'll get from government. 'The thought of them giving a crap about farmland doesn't seem to exist,' he said. smoman@
