Drive-through toll collection by 2008

Motorists will be able to travel on expressways without having to stop to pay toll, when the gantry toll collection system is implemented.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said that under the system, used in countries like France and Australia, the start and end of the journey would be electronically recorded when a motorist passed under a gantry.

“Payment would automatically be deducted through a prepaid card kept in the vehicle,” he added.

The system will be introduced in the Klang Valley first and motorists can look forward to uninterrupted travel by 2008. In other parts of the country, it would be introduced in stages.

Finally we're going to enjoy less traffic jams on the roads. Erm... Are we?

I've been telling some of my friends about this technology adopted by our 'friendly neighbour' since a few years' back. I told them I couldn't understand why Singapore could use this wonderful technology on their highways and yet we in Malaysia still need toll booths which are the major contributors to traffic woes. Perhaps the government needs to win elections by creating more jobs?

Interestingly Samy Vellu failed to name our closest neighbour as one of the countries to use this drive thru toll collection system.

Furthermore 2008 seems still quite far away. I wonder what kind of new technology our neighbour will be using by then?