Goods vehicles banned from city centre during peak hours

KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has prohibited all operators or drivers of goods vehicles involving heavy vehicles with laden weight exceeding 7,500kg, from entering the main roads into the city centre from 6.30am until 9.30am, and from 4.30pm until 7.30pm, every day.

The prohibition follows JPJ’s observation showing that entry of heavy vehicles into the city during these peak hours contributed to traffic congestion which had affected the smooth traffic flow in the Klang Valley.

“Roads that are gazetted with travel restrictions of at least five kilometres from the city centre – starting from the entrance to the city centre – will be marked with special signboards with the time stamp prohibiting heavy vehicles from entering,” said JPJ in a statement yesterday, as reported by Bernama.

Among the roads gazetted with such restrictions in the mornings and evenings are all roads in the Kuala Lumpur city centre, Jalan Kuching from Taman Wahyu in Jalan Ipoh to the city centre, Jalan Genting Klang from TAR College until the city centre, and Jalan Cheras from Taman Midah to the city centre.

Meanwhile, roads gazetted with restrictions in the evenings include Jalan Kepong, Jalan Ipoh from Bulatan Kepong until Jalan Batu Caves, Karak Highway, Jalan Gombak from Jalan Kampung Bandar Dalam until the Kuala Lumpur border, Jalan Genting Klang and Jalan Cheras beginning from Jalan Pudu until Jalan Tenteram.

According to the statement, the ban on goods vehicles entering the main roads in the federal capital has been in place for a long time.

However, since entering the transition of the Covid-19 endemic phase, heavy vehicle drivers have disregarded this rule, resulting in a visible increase in the number of vehicles on the road.

“Those who disregard this can be compounded not more than RM300, or charged in court, where the fine imposed will range from RM300 to RM2,000,” it added.