TAPAH: PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) expects more than two million motorists to head back to their hometowns in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year and Ramadan seasons.
Its senior general manager of operations, Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz, said traffic is projected to reach about 2.2 million vehicles on peak days as the Chinese New Year celebrations and the start of Ramadan overlap with school holidays, leading to a spike in highway usage.
He noted that daily traffic, which typically averages around 2.1 million vehicles, is expected to surpass that figure and climb to 2.2 million on selected peak days.
“Chinese New Year falls in the middle of the week, on Jan 15 and 16, and this is closely followed by the start of Ramadan on Jan 19.
“With the festive period approaching, many Malaysians are likely to take extended leave, and traffic volume is expected to increase from as early as Jan 12,” he said during a special media briefing here on Monday (Feb 9).
To address potential congestion, Mohd Yusuf said PLUS has introduced a traffic dispersion plan aimed at easing pressure on major Rest and Service Areas (R&R).
He encouraged motorists to make use of alternative facilities outside the main R&R areas, particularly lay-bys and amenities located near toll plazas.
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According to him, these alternative stops provide essential facilities similar to those at R&R locations, including toilets, surau, parking spaces, as well as vending machines and small vendors at selected sites.
“We expect R&R areas to be key congestion points. Therefore, we are urging road users to utilise facilities near toll plazas, where comparable amenities are available. This approach will help spread out traffic and reduce crowding at primary rest areas,” he said.
Mohd Yusuf added that PLUS will deploy 294 members of the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) to assist with traffic management throughout the festive period.
He said personnel will be stationed at selected high-traffic spots, including major R&R areas and lay-bys prone to heavy congestion.
“We are collaborating closely with RELA, with 294 personnel assigned to ensure smoother traffic flow, particularly at critical hotspots,” he said.
He further explained that PLUS has made thorough preparations to manage the expected traffic surge, including operational readiness and on-site coordination, to provide motorists with a more seamless travel experience during the festive season.
Motorists were also advised to plan their journeys in advance, stay updated with traffic advisories, and consider alternative stopping points to help reduce congestion across the highway network during what is anticipated to be one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
-Thestar
