SUBANG: The Works Ministry has called for motorists to cooperate during the activation of Smart Lane on highways for the Deepavali season.
Works Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Policy & Development) Datuk Zahrul Hakim Abdullah said that throughout Deepavali, Plus Malaysia Berhad (Plus) will activate Smart Lanes at 21 critical locations identified on the highways.
He said that based on research conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) on six highways in Malaysia during the last festive season, more than 70 per cent of road users who used the Smart Lane agreed that the initiative helped reduce traffic congestion.
"At the same time, the initiative contributes to smoother traffic flow and time savings," he said during the Plus Highway Deepavali Preparations Review Programme and the National Month Celebration Campaign Prize Giving Ceremony at Persada Plus, here today.
Also present were Plus managing director Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar, Malaysian Highway Authority senior director Junaidah Jamni, Bukit Aman Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department principal assistant director Superintendent Khairul Azhar Ismail, and Road Transport Department Enforcement Division chief assistant director (Operations) Lokman Junoh.
Meanwhile, Nik Airina said that in anticipation of the Deepavali holiday, traffic is expected to surge to as high as 2.1 million vehicles daily on peak dates across its highway network, particularly on Oct 30, and Nov 1.
In addition to activating the Smart Lane, Plus has also made various preparations to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for all users, including providing the MyPLUS or MyPLUS-TTA Travel Time Advisory via the Plus App.
"Plus has also upgraded facilities at rest and service areas (R&R) for the convenience of highway users and remains committed to continuously upgrading restrooms at R&R, lay-bys, and toll plazas.
"From last year until this year, Plus has spent approximately RM37.5 million to upgrade and improve restroom facilities at 60 locations across our R&R, lay-bys, and toll plazas to provide more comfort for users.
"Additionally, Plus has provided more than 90 extra portable restrooms at selected locations in lay-bys and toll plazas for added convenience during this festive season, supplementing the existing restrooms at R&R and lay-bys along the Plus Highway," she said.
Highway users can get the latest traffic information through the Plus app, Virtual Assistant PUTRI, the X@plustrafik app, electronic signage (VMS) at selected locations, or via major national radio stations.
The public can also contact the PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000 for assistance during emergencies.
Plus also advises using the Plus app, Waze, or Google Maps to plan and get a better travel route during this festive season.
Earlier, the government announced toll-free access for all highway users for two days starting tomorrow in conjunction with Deepavali.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, in a statement today said that toll-free access would begin at 12.01am on Oct 29 and end at 11.59pm on Oct 30 or this Wednesday.