Traffic on the PLUS highway network is expected to surge during the upcoming Aidilfitri festive season, with about 2.3 million vehicles projected to travel daily on peak days.
PLUS Malaysia Berhad Managing Director, Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar said traffic volume could rise by more than 20 per cent, particularly during two key travel windows – March 18 to 20 and March 27 to 29.
To cope with the anticipated increase, the highway operator will implement several traffic management measures, including the activation of 34 Smart Lane locations along selected stretches of the highway.
Speaking at a media briefing at Persada PLUS Corporate Tower today, Nik Airina said motorists are encouraged to plan their journeys using the MyPLUS-TTA (Travel Time Advisory) to avoid heavy congestion.
She said the system helps distribute traffic more evenly by recommending staggered departure times for travellers using the PLUS network and the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2).
“Our experience during the recent Chinese New Year period showed that motorists who adhered to the MyPLUS-TTA schedule generally experienced smoother journeys compared to those who travelled outside the recommended times,” she said.
Nik Airina explained that traffic congestion tends to worsen when a large number of vehicles begin travelling simultaneously.
“If everyone departs at the same time, traffic will inevitably build up and cause delays for several hours,” she added.
As part of its festive season operations, PLUS will also utilise Smart Lanes at 34 strategic locations to increase road capacity.
Motorists using these lanes must observe a maximum speed limit of 60 km per hour, as the lanes are narrower than the standard highway lanes.
In preparation for the festive rush, more than 6,000 personnel will be mobilised across the highway network to ensure smooth traffic flow and provide assistance to motorists.
Emergency response teams comprising personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will also be positioned at selected areas to ensure faster response in the event of accidents or emergencies.
Nik Airina added that all Rest and Service Areas (R&R) along the PLUS network will remain open around the clock to accommodate the needs of travellers throughout the festive period.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
