Path to the future: The Bandar Serenia interchange, pictured here, will serve as an alternative to KLIA, and will benefit residents in and bring new development to Kota Warisan, Dengkil and other nearby areas, says Baru (inset).
SEPANG: Highway concessionaires should consider equipping all their rest and service areas (R&R) with free WiFi, says Works Minister Baru Bian.
He said concessionaires should provide free WiFi to ensure travellers can enjoy a comfortable experience.
“Concessionaires must understand that the needs and wants of highway users have changed, compared to 20 or 30 years ago.
“Now, they do not just want to arrive at their destinations safely and on time, they also want their journeys to give them new experiences and added value.
“I urge concessionaires to look into providing free WiFi services at all R&Rs,” said Baru in his speech at the opening of the new Bandar Serenia interchange at KM35 on the Elite Highway here yesterday.
Baru added that top-of-the-line traffic management technology is a must-have for all highway operators to ensure congestion can be managed efficiently.
“The usage of the latest technology in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 plays an important role in disseminating information to road users.
“In this day and age, it is unacceptable if we do not know the cause of a traffic jam on any highway,” said Baru.
On the opening of the new Bandar Serenia interchange, Baru said it will benefit many residents in Kota Warisan and Dengkil, as an alternative to the existing KLIA interchange.
“The opening of this interchange will also be a catalyst towards the development of Dengkil, Kota Warisan, Bandar Serenia, Ampar Tenang and other nearby areas.
“Due to the development of the PLUS Expressway, we have seen the growth of many industrial areas, such as Senawang, Tanjung Malim, Nilai and others.
“This also provides jobs for people who live nearby,” said Baru.
Meanwhile, PLUS Malaysia Berhad managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said PLUS will begin equipping free WiFi facilities at the Seremban south-bound R&R area.
“It will be the first R&R area with free WiFi, and it will be completed by 2020.
“From there on, we will work to equip the rest of our R&Rs,” said Azman.
Built at a cost of RM108mil, the Bandar Serenia interchange began construction at the end of Dec 2015 and was completed on June 28 this year.
It is located between the Nilai Utara and KLIA interchanges on the Elite Highway.
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