Toll-free travel for Deepavali on Nov 11-12

PETALING JAYA: Highways throughout the country will be toll-free for all vehicle classes in all plazas on Nov 11-12 in conjunction with the Deepavali celebrations.

The Public Works Department (JKR) said in a statement today that the Cabinet had agreed to lift toll charges for two days and the Works Ministry had met with highway concessionaires on this.

"Toll exemption will be given to all types of vehicle classes in all toll plazas except those at the national border, which are the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Tanjung Kupang plazas in Johor.

"The selection of these dates is also to reduce traffic congestion (for the return) journey to people's hometowns and back to the city; and to optimise logistics matters such as traffic control management and other needs that involve third parties in lay-bys and R&R stops along highways.

"It is estimated that the cumulative number of vehicles (on all highways at peak travel hours) could be as high as 11.8 million vehicles over a two-hour period," the statement added.

JKR also advised highway users to comply with travel time advisory recommendations and road regulations, as well as to drive and ride safely.