Full electronic toll transactions to begin on April 26
ALL toll transactions on all PLUS-operated highways can only be made via PLUSMiles cards, Touch ‘n Go cards and SmartTAGs from April 26, onwards, as cash toll transactions will no longer be accepted, from the date.
PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said the final phase of the full electronic toll transaction initiative will involve 71 more toll plazas between Juru and Skudai on the North-South Expressway.
“Beginning April 26, all toll plazas on PLUS-operated highways will be fully electronic. The same initiative was successfully implemented in stages at several other locations along the mainline since 2008,” he said.
Based on records, currently 94 per cent of the total number of users plying the Juru-Skudai stretch have been paying electronically, he added.
“As such, we advise highway users who have yet to get the electronic cards to purchase their cards at all PLUS customer service centres along the highway before April 26,” Azman said.
He said that paying toll electronically is much faster and easier than paying by cash.
“A SmartTAG and a Touch ‘n Go lane can accommodate up to 1,000 and 600 transactions respectively in an hour. An Exit Cash lane, on the other hand, can only cater to 180 transactions per hour,” he explained.
Azman also added that in implementing the initiative, PLUS also takes cognizance of
FILE PIC what had happened in the past and are aggressively working towards ensuring minimal or zero downtime.
Highway users welcomed the move, citing the ease of transaction, time saved and a smoother journey.
Mohd Akhib Mohd Hashim from Alor Star views the move as part of an effort to facilitate smoother toll transactions at toll plazas.
“As an Electronic Toll Collection system user, I can avoid long queues at toll plazas. It saves my time and I hope that PLUS will open up more SmartTAG lanes at the toll plazas,” he said.
Isma Suhaila Ismail from Ayer Keroh hopes that the move can help reduce traffic congestion at the Ayer Keroh toll plaza on weekends and long holidays.