It’s Christmas on Monday, and many households would already be heading back to their hometowns to take advantage of the long weekend. As usual, PLUS Malaysia has released a travel time advisory (TTA) for the festive period from tomorrow, December 22 until December 27.
The advisory is meant to improve traffic distribution along the North-South Expressway, and prevent vehicles heading towards various destinations from converging at the same location and causing traffic congestion. Motorists heading towards Perlis, Kedah, Penang, North Perak and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10 am, while those from other states are advised to enter the NSE after 10 am during those days.
Around 1.5 million vehicles are expected to ply the North-South Expressway daily on peak days during the Christmas holiday – an increase of 6% compared to the usual 1.4 million vehicles travelling on normal working days. “The sudden spike in traffic at a particular location usually contributes to traffic congestion during festive season and peak periods,” said PLUS chief operating officer Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.
“The advisory, if adhered, prevents vehicles heading towards Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, North Perak and Johor uniting with traffic bound for other states. Instead, these vehicles will be scattered and distributed at various locations along the highway. This will contribute to smoother traffic flow.
“Based on our studies and observation, traffic was generally smooth when more drivers followed the TTA during previous festive seasons,” Zakaria added.
The company announced yesterday that it would be closing all 134 reload lanes at its toll plazas from December 22 to January 2 to facilitate smoother traffic flow during the festive period, so motorists are advised to check the balance of their Touch ‘n Go and PLUSMiles cards before travelling.
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PLUS should also give free toll during this period. After all they make so much of money BIllion of clean profit per annum.
Festive seasons should give free toll out of goodwill. We Malaysians let the concessionaire reap billions.
Oh yeah, Malaysia is the only country in the world where the concessionaire says 1 KM cost over RM100 million despite using super cheap Bangladeshi labour plus no land acquisition when making highway
Come on PLUS, give back to the rakyat
Every year there are more than half a million new cars put on the road. Such an advise from PLUS is of no use. The jams will still be there. All R&Rs will packed, no parking available. The best advise is to bring your own food in the car and to wear adult diapers.
Just take airasia or malindo. no worries about jam.
if tight budget, take the train.
i don’t see any issue here if everyone knows how to manage their own mode of transport.
Joker, if you follow the PLUS’s schedule and you will be trapped for hours.