KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 – About 3.28 million vehicles are expected to use Malaysia’s major highways each day during the peak travel period for Deepavali this Sunday.
The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) expects traffic to increase from Thursday as motorists travel to their hometowns and holiday destinations.
LLM director-general Ir Mohd Hadzmir Yusoff said major highways could experience heavier traffic, especially routes leading to the northern, southern and east coast regions.
PLUS Highway Expected to Record Highest Traffic
The PLUS highway network is expected to handle the highest number of vehicles.
It could record about 2.24 million vehicles during the peak travel period.
Other highways are also expected to experience heavy traffic:
- Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE): 288,000 vehicles
- Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK): 190,000 vehicles
- West Coast Expressway (WCE): 168,000 vehicles
- Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR): 135,000 vehicles
- Kajang-Seremban Expressway (LEKAS): 135,000 vehicles
- East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT1): 83,000 vehicles
- East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2): 44,000 vehicles
50 Per Cent Toll Discount for Two Days
Motorists will also enjoy a toll discount of about 50 per cent during the Deepavali travel period.
The discount applies to Class 1 vehicles on highways nationwide. Class 2 vehicles travelling on the Penang Bridge are also eligible.
It will run from 12.01 am on Friday, Nov 6, until 11.59 pm on Saturday, Nov 7.
However, the discount does not cover the Sultan Iskandar Building Toll Plaza or the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.
Highway Maintenance Work to Be Suspended
To reduce traffic congestion, highway concessionaires have been told to stop maintenance work that requires lane closures.
The suspension will run from Nov 6 to 10, except for emergency repairs.
Concessionaires must also provide extra facilities at selected rest and service areas.
These include additional parking spaces and portable toilets. They must also ensure that facilities are clean and that water and fuel supplies are sufficient.
PLUS Activates Smart Lanes at 32 Locations
PLUS Malaysia Berhad expects traffic towards the Klang Valley to increase on Nov 9 and 10.
This is because many motorists will return home after their Deepavali and school holiday trips.
To ease congestion, PLUS has activated Smart Lanes at 32 selected locations.
These lanes allow motorists to use designated emergency lanes temporarily when traffic conditions permit.
Motorists can also use the MyPLUS Travel Time Advisory to plan their journeys.
In addition, PLUS encourages drivers to use JustGO, an automatic number plate recognition system for toll payments. The system is available at PLUS toll plazas, except the Sultan Iskandar Building Toll Plaza and LPT2 toll plazas.
Drivers Advised to Travel During Off-Peak Hours
Motorists heading towards the East Coast are encouraged to travel outside peak hours.
AFA Prime Berhad managing director and chief executive officer Ahmad Faizi Latifi Ahmad Faiz recommended travelling between midnight and 6 am to avoid heavy traffic.
Drivers can also check the latest traffic updates through the official social media accounts of PLUS and LLM.
For emergency assistance, motorists can contact PLUSLine at 1-800-88-0000.
Real-time traffic images are also available through the LLM website.
Source : BERNAMA | Rewritten By Minutesmy
