Starting 12.00 pm this Wednesday, 9th September 2015, drivers of automobile will no longer be able to pay cash at toll plazas on three highways, as reported by The Star.
The three highways involved are:
- Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH)
- Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE)
- Storm Water Management And Road Tunnel (SMART)
All payment method will be done via Touch ‘N Go or SmartTag.
The affected toll plaza along the AKLEH highway is the Datuk Keramat plaza while the one along the SMART tunnel is located in Sungai Besi.
As for the plazas on the DUKE highway, the affected plazas are Batu, Ayer Panas and Sentul Pasar.
Malaysian Highway Authority Deputy Director-General (business) Datuk Aziz Abdullah said, a study showed that fully electronic toll plazas would help reduce traffic congestion in the city by about 20% to 30%.
[block_quote quote = ‘1|0’]Currently, the cash lanes allow about 300 vehicles per hour, while the Touch n’ Go and Smart Tag lanes allow 550 and 1,200 vehicles per hour respectively.”
– Datuk Aziz Abdullah[/block_quote]
Operators have been stationed at the respective toll plazas to cater to motorists without the necessary electronic payment cards – Touch N’ Go cards will be sold at RM5.00 per unit.
Also, motorists can purchase their SmartTag devices at a rate of RM99.00 per unit at booths located along the AKLEH and DUKE highway.
Are you one of thousands of motorists who have been using those three highways everyday? Give your thoughts and comments below.
Photo: Drexar21