Enjoy toll-free travel on Malaysian highways from 8 -9 April for Hari Raya

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Works announces toll-free days on April 8 and 9 for private vehicle drivers across national highways in celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, according to an official release.

The ministry disclosed that the Cabinet has approved toll exemptions for Class 1 vehicles (private cars) starting from 12.01am on April 8 to 11.59pm on April 9, applicable to all highway tolls nationwide, with the sole exceptions being the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Tanjung Kupang tolls in Johor.

The exemption is anticipated to have a fiscal impact of approximately RM37.6 million, as stated in the announcement made on Thursday (March 28).

"This initiative, decided upon in the Cabinet meeting on February 7, is in honor of the Aidilfitri celebration, reflecting our commitment to the well-being and happiness of all Malaysian citizens, particularly the Muslim community," mentioned Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He further predicted that vehicle traffic on highways might surge by 2.46 million vehicles daily due to this toll waiver, during a press briefing following his visit to the Seremban southbound rest and service area.

Nanta recommended that drivers on the North-South Highway (PLUS) utilize the MyPLUS-TTA app to schedule their travels based on the travel time advisory (TTA) which advises on optimal departure times from specific toll plazas.

The Minister emphasized the importance of safety and personal responsibility despite existing safety measures and laws, urging drivers to remain vigilant and not solely depend on highway authorities for their safety.

To ease traffic during the Aidilfitri holiday period, Nanta revealed that Smart Lanes would be activated at 18 key locations along the PLUS Highway to enhance capacity and ensure traffic flows smoothly. This year sees the addition of three new Smart Lane points compared to the 15 used during the Chinese New Year period in February.

Detailed signage for Smart Lane use will be placed at 500m intervals, with additional warning signs 200m before they begin and end, and flashing lights every 1km to indicate active lanes.

Moreover, mobile variable message sign (VMS) boards will be utilized to communicate the operational status of Smart Lanes, which are activated during peak travel times to help reduce congestion.

Motorcyclists are cautioned to be especially careful when using emergency lanes, which may also serve as Smart Lanes, to avoid collisions with other vehicles.

Lastly, Nanta assured that to prevent any traffic disruptions and promote smoother travel, there will be no lane closures for maintenance from April 1-17, except in cases of emergencies or accidents where such actions are unavoidable. PLUS will have emergency response teams ready at 11 strategic points.

Also Read:  Easing Hari Raya traffic: PLUS Malaysia to active 18 SmartLanes