KUALA LUMPUR — Get ready for busy roads. Traffic experts say massive traffic jams will hit local highways starting this Friday because several holidays are happening at the same time.
Consequently, PLUS Malaysia Berhad expects more than 2.2 million cars to use its roads every single day. At the same time, the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 will see up to 50,000 cars daily during the busiest hours. This huge traffic spike happens because the school holidays line up perfectly with three major celebrations. Specifically, Malaysia will celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha, Wesak Day, and the King’s Birthday all in one week.
To help you avoid the worst gridlock, the highway operator shared the exact dates when traffic will be terrible. Specifically, if you are leaving Kuala Lumpur, expect heavy jams on May 22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 30, and 31. On the other hand, if you are driving back into the city, the absolute worst days will be June 4, 5, 6, and 7. Therefore, officials advise families to plan their trips early to beat the crowd.
To help keep traffic moving, PLUS will open up special Smart Lanes at 33 crowded areas to create extra space. Additionally, the company is putting more than 500 patrol workers on the road to watch the highways day and night. These teams will look for breakdowns and clear accidents immediately. The highway operator also plans to open every single toll booth lane and watch traffic live from their control room.
Furthermore, the highway teams are working directly with the police and the Road Transport Department. Their main goal is to keep you safe and make your drive smoother. If you want to check live road conditions, you can look at the PLUS mobile app or check the https://www.plus.com.my/ website.
Finally, remember to do a few quick checks before you start your car. Make sure you top up your Touch ‘n Go cards and eWallets so you do not get stuck at the toll gates. Drive carefully, take enough breaks, and follow the speed limit. However, if you have a sudden emergency on the highway, you can call the direct helper lines at 1800-88-0000 or 1800-88-0220 for quick assistance.
