PLUS Introduces Hari Raya Travel Schedule

PETALING JAYA, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- PLUS Expressways Bhd (PLUS) uneviled its time travel advisory (TTA) to ensure smooth traffic flow on its expressways in conjunction with the upcoming Aidilfitri and Merdeka Day celebrations.

PLUS Chief Operating Officer Mohammad Fuad Khusairi said the move was to help its road users plan their travel throughout this coming festive season. "PLUS expects traffic on the North-South Highways to increase by 30 per cent to 1.4 million vehicles a day compared to 1.1 million vehicles on normal days," he told a media conference, here Monday.

Mohammad Fuad said PLUS was retaining the previous travel schedule for this year by dividing vehicles with registration plate numbers ending with odd or even numbers on the Johore Causeway, Second Link Expressway and the Penang Bridge.

"For vehicles with odd plate numbers, motorists are advised to use those bridges at odd hours, such as 9 am, 1 pm and 7 pm. For vehicles with even plate numbers, the suggested travel time is even hours, such as 10 am, 2 pm and 8 pm during this festive season," he said.

Those from Klang Valley heading north on Friday (Aug 17) and Saturday (Aug 18) or on Aug 30 and 31 are advised to start their journey as follows:

* Before noon for Perlis, Kedah and Penang;

* Between noon and 3 pm for Taiping, Kuala Kangsar and Changkat Jering;

* Between 3 pm and 6 pm for Ipoh, Simpang Pulai and Gopeng;

* After 6 pm for Tapah, Bidor, Sungkai, Slim River and Tanjung Malim.

The TTA for those head south, the proposed schedule for Johor is as follows:

* Before noon for Johor (via Skudai, North Senai, Ayer Hitam, Yong Peng and Tangkak); * Between noon and 3 pm for Melaka via Ayer Keroh; * Between 3 pm and 6 pm for Tampin and Alor Gajah via Simpang Ampat;

* After 6 pm for Senawang, Port Dickson and Seremban.

Mohammad Fuad said PLUS was also introducing a return travel schedule after the Aidilfitri celebration, beginning Aug 21 to 26 and Sept 1 and 2.

"From the North and South Highway, Klang Valley users are advised to enter expressways before noon or after 6 pm. For others, who do not travel through the Klang Valley, it is between noon and 6 pm," he said.

"About 3,000 PLUS staff and 432 members of the police, the Civil Defence Department, St John Ambulance and Red Crescent Society will be placed at 12 strategic locations along the expressways, while 153 PLUSRonda team personnel will be on patrol 24 hours, besides more than 1,500 toll counters opened to facilitate payment of toll," he said.

The public can obtain the latest traffic information from PLUS through the toll-free PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000 and Twitter site, www.twitter.com/plustrafik.

Besides the TTA, PLUS is also providing a 30 per cent toll rebate on Aug 15, 16, 22, 23 and 31 to encourage road users to start their journey at off-peak hours and switch to electronic payment systems (Touch n Go, Plus Miles).