PLUS activates smart lanes, deploys 4,000 staff members for holiday traffic

PETALING JAYA: Activating 25 smart lanes and deploying more than 4,000 personnel are among the measures PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is implementing to manage increased year-end holiday traffic.

The highway operator stated that the 4,000 personnel will be stationed at toll booths, as maintenance staff, at its traffic monitoring centre, and as RELA members to assist with traffic direction.

PLUS will also increase the frequency of PLUSRonda patrols along the highway to handle breakdowns and improve traffic flow from Dec 20 to Jan 2.

The operator will provide round-the-clock traffic updates and a digital travel schedule through its MyPLUS mobile app, the company said in a statement today.

It is estimated that traffic on PLUS expressways will increase by 14% to 2.12 million vehicles per day during the Christmas and year-end holidays compared to 1.85 million on normal days.

"PLUS has made preparations to manage the increase in traffic volume through several methods that will help travellers experience a safe, smooth and comfortable journey," the firm stated.

"PLUS advises all highway users to plan their trip and to make use of our rest areas throughout their journey. Toilets and prayer rooms are also available at all toll plazas."

The firm is activating 15 smart lanes on high-density stretches in the central region of the highway, including three in Perak, one in Negeri Sembilan, and 11 in Selangor.

In the northern region, PLUS will activate three smart lanes, all in Seberang Prai, Penang.

In the southern region, PLUS will activate seven smart lanes: one each in Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, and five in various parts of Johor.

In addition to its MyPLUS app, live traffic updates will also be available through electronic signboards, @PLUSTrafik on the X platform, its AI assistant Maya, and on radio stations.

"Except for emergencies, PLUS has also temporarily suspended all maintenance work on its highways from Dec 20 to Jan 2," the company added.