PLUS Anticipates 2.3 million Vehicles on highways for Hari Raya travel

Highway operator activates SmartLane routes, travel timetable and additional patrol teams to manage surge in balik kampung traffic.

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PLUS Malaysia Berhad is expecting a significant surge in traffic on its highways during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday season, with daily vehicle numbers projected to reach 2.3 million on peak travel days.

According to PLUS, the peak travel period for the annual balik kampung exodus is expected from March 18 to March 20, while the return trip back to the Klang Valley is anticipated between March 27 and March 29.

The projected figure represents a 21 percent increase compared to normal daily traffic, and is similar to the surge experienced during the recent Chinese New Year festive period, when highway traffic exceeded two million vehicles on peak days.

PLUS Managing Director Nik Airina Nik Jaffar said the company is implementing three main strategies to manage the increase in traffic. These include more efficient traffic and incident management, improved traffic dispersal and enhanced user comfort, aimed at ensuring a safer and smoother journey for highway users during the festive period.

To help motorists plan their journeys, PLUS is encouraging road users to utilise the MyPLUS-TTA digital travel timetable, which is based on traffic analysis and travel patterns recorded during previous festive seasons. The timetable will be accessible via the PLUS mobile app for the North-South Expressway and East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2) from March 18 to March 30.

As part of its traffic management measures, PLUS will activate 34 SmartLane stretches at strategic locations along its highways. Two additional SmartLane routes have also been introduced compared to the Chinese New Year travel period.

The SmartLane system allows temporary use of emergency lanes to ease congestion when traffic volume increases. Motorists can identify when SmartLane is active through a flashing green light indicator, and PLUS reminded drivers not to misuse the emergency lane when the system is not activated.

For travellers heading south, PLUS will temporarily open a three-kilometre stretch of the Johor road widening project between Simpang Renggam and Sedenak (KM45.1 to KM42.5) from March 18 until April 5, providing three lanes southbound to help improve traffic flow.

The highway operator also confirmed that no lane closures will take place during the festive period, including at the Johor widening project area, except in cases involving critical repairs, emergencies or accident recovery operations.

To ensure smooth highway operations, more than 6,000 personnel across the highway ecosystem will be mobilised. Additional PLUSRonda and LPT2Ronda patrol teams will operate around the clock, while emergency response teams will be stationed at nine strategic locations to handle incidents quickly.

PLUS has also implemented several upgrades to improve user comfort at more than 60 locations, including rest and service areas (R&Rs), lay-bys and toll plazas.

Among the improvements are the placement of 25 portable cabin toilets at selected toll plazas and rest stops during the holiday period. Motorists are also reminded that toilets and surau facilities at toll plazas are open to the public and may serve as alternatives to the often crowded R&R areas.

Other upgrades include LED lighting improvements and the addition of 100 emergency bays at strategic highway locations.

Motorists are advised to ensure their vehicles are in good condition before beginning their journey. At the same time, authorities including Royal Malaysia Police will be monitoring road users closely through Op Selamat 26 during the festive travel season.

With millions expected to travel across the country, road users are reminded to drive carefully, plan ahead and prioritise safety throughout the Hari Raya holidays.