Main image via Sinar Harian + The Vocket
Drivers, here’s something you’ll definitely want to take note of.
Many of us tend to forget to reload our Touch ‘n Go cards while driving and/or usually wait till we get to a toll to do so. But now, that option will not be available anymore.
Image via MY
According to The Star, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PMB) will no longer be providing the “tambah nilai” facility at all toll plaza exit lanes beginning 5th November (that's Tuesday FYI).
This move is “aimed at reducing congestion caused by reload activities at all toll plazas in the northern region (between Hutan Kampung and Ipoh Utara) and the southern region (between Seremban and Skudai).”
Image via Sinar Harian
The move is not just to help with the flow of traffic but to also ensure the safety of PLUS customer service agents as there have been several cases where heavy vehicles have crashed into toll booths and causing harm and/or injuries to the staff.
"To date, there have been 81 cases of heavy vehicles crashing into toll booths between 2016 and 2018," PMB said in a statement on Friday.
Based on its records, PMB also noted that customers who experience insufficient balance and require to “tambah nilai” at exit lanes cause approximately 8% from 253,000 daily traffic in the norther region and 9% of 189,000 daily traffic in the southern region, due to the unnecessary delays.
“On average, a reload process at the exit lane takes up to three minutes,” PMB said.
Image via The Vocket
Don’t start panicking about your Touch ‘n Go cards’ balance yet as PMB have mention that selected toll plazas will still be providing the tambah nilai option as per usual.
“However, customer service centres and reload lanes at entry lanes at selected toll plazas are still provided and will be operating as usual," they added.
Drivers are still advised to plan your journey and to top up your Touch ‘n Go cards beforehand so you don’t end up getting stuck at the toll plazas when you enter the highway.
"PLUS is also engaging with Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd to ensure all the Touch ‘n Go kiosks are in good working condition at all times," it said.
More than 11,000 reload facilities are available throughout the country including ATMs, petrol stations, convenience stores, rest areas and shopping malls, so you’ll definitely be able to reload your cards at one of these points.
Image via Malaysian Talk
So drivers, before you begin your journey, be sure to have sufficient balance in your cards as we all know that it really is a hassle to be stuck at the toll and we don’t want that to happen to you, if it can be avoided.
Do you think this move will actually help with traffic congestion? Let us know your thoughts!
Info via The Star