PLUS Advises Users To Follow This Schedule To Avoid 10-Hour Jams From 29 April To 2 May
The highway operator is expecting over two million vehicles on their highways each day over the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
By May Vin Ang — 25 Apr 2022, 11:52 AM
PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is advising Malaysians to balik kampung earlier as they are expecting over two million vehicles to use their highways each day over the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations
According to Bernama, the highway operator has issued a 'Balik Kampung and Pulang Ke Bandar' travel time advisory to make sure motorists will be able to avoid the Raya traffic surge from 29 April to 2 May.
"As this is the first time after two years of Movement Control Order (MCO) that Malaysians are allowed to return to their home villages to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we expect about two million vehicles, which is an increase of 25% compared to 1.6 million vehicles a day using our highways currently," said PLUS chief operating officer (CEO) Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi in a statement on Sunday, 24 April.
According to the CEO, highway users will get stuck in traffic jams and experience journeys of up to 10 hours or twice as long as their usual travel times, if they choose not to follow the schedule
Highway users from Klang Valley returning to their hometowns in further states, such as Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, and Johor, are advised to enter the North-South Expressway before 10am.
Meanwhile, those heading out to nearer locations or states are advised to enter the highway after 1pm.
As for those coming back into Klang Valley after the celebrations, they are encouraged to hit the road even earlier, which is by 9am from 5 May to 9 May, to return to the city.
The advisory is aimed at distributing traffic to different times of the day and stopping cars from congesting highways, toll plazas, and rest areas, based on a study of festive season travelling patterns by PLUS
"The travel time advisory is designed to prevent traffic heading towards further destinations from converging with those heading to nearer places. By adhering to it, it would make a positive difference to one's travelling experience," said Zakaria.
He also advised travellers to adhere to traffic regulations, ensure their vehicles are in good condition, and to drive carefully to reach their destinations safely to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their families this year.
