PLUS to ease traffic flow after feedback on RFID

PETALING JAYA: In response to user feedback over its nationwide implementation of the RFID along the North-South Expressway, highway firm Plus Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) has taken measures to smoothen traffic flow at its toll plazas.

In a statement yesterday, Plus said it will improve customer experience through several improvements, which include reinstating some SmartTAG lanes, enhancing system performance and increasing the deployment of on-ground staff, other than having more RFID fitment centres at strategic locations.

PLUS said it is committed to reinstating 16 toll plazas with 19 Touch ’n Go lanes and SmartTAG lanes by Jan 25 in line with the Chinese New Year peak travel period.“Subsequently, post Chinese New Year, on Feb 19, an additional 18 more toll plazas will convert its 24 lanes to SmartTAG lanes,” it said.

To optimise system performance and sharpen detection at all toll plazas, PLUS will also deploy quicker “double arm” lane barriers at plazas with high traffic.

“PLUS has assigned customer service assistants (CSAs) at all 158 RFID lanes across 74 toll plazas to assist customers who are stuck at the lanes using portable detection devices,” said the company, which added that there are 24 fitment centres on its highways, and another 35 outside.

“Customers experiencing detection issues at Plus highways will receive a Touch ‘n Go coupon from our CSA, and can proceed to the nearest fitment centre, and Touch ‘n Go will replace the tag for free if found faulty,” it said, adding that the list of centres is found at https://rfidregister.touchngo.com.my/fitment-centres.

PLUS added that the RFID project is in line with the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) blueprint by the Works Ministry towards a congestion-free Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) highways.

The improvements came after a recent meeting between PLUS and Senior Minister (Works) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) director-general Mohd Shuhaimi Hassan.