PETALING JAYA: As of Oct 16, about 2.67 million vehicles are expected daily to be on the highways in conjunction with the Deepavali holidays, with the discounted tolls a factor to celebrate.
The Highway Authority (MHA), in a statement issued on Saturday (Oct 11), said that four days prior to Deepavali – to be celebrated on Oct 20 – the number of users travelling northbound, southbound and eastbound on the peninsula highways are anticipated to increase rapidly in the days approaching the festival and after.
MHA also welcomes the Budget 2026 announcement on Friday (Oct 10) on the discounted toll rates in conjunction with Deepavali and said that this is also a factor for more highway users to travel.
“MHA welcomes the Madani Government’s announcement of a 50% toll discount from the usual toll rate for Class 1 vehicles (Class 2 for Penang Bridge) only,” the statement said.
The discount starts from 12.01am on Oct 18 until 11.59pm on Oct 19 at all toll plazas.
This is except at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) Toll Plaza on the North–South Expressway and the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza on the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link (Linkedua), in conjunction with the Deepavali holiday to be celebrated on Monday, Oct 20.
“MHA anticipates an increase in highway traffic as early as Oct 16, for users travelling northbound, southbound, and eastbound.
“It is estimated that traffic volume will peak at 2.67 million vehicles per day on major highways during the Deepavali festive period. Of these, 2.2 million vehicles are expected to use highways under the PLUS Group. Meanwhile, approximately 170,000, 90,000, 40,000, and 170,000 vehicles are projected to use the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway, East Coast Expressway Phase 1, East Coast Expressway Phase 2, and West Coast Expressway (WCE) respectively.
“To manage the anticipated traffic increase, MHA has directed all highway concessionaires to make thorough preparations to ensure safe and smooth travel during this period,” MHA said.
Proactive measures include ensuring no lane closures by highway concessionaires except for emergency works from Oct 17 to 23.
This also includes activating “smart lane” routes at 29 identified locations along the PLUS Highway.
“Major highway concessionaires are to ensure toll collection systems function smoothly to prevent congestion at toll plazas, and to implement multi-lane toll collection at selected high-traffic plazas.
“They must also ensure highways are in optimal operating condition, with all facilities—especially at rest and service areas (R&R) and lay-by—fully functional for users’ comfort and safety.
“Additional parking spaces and temporary mobile or cabin toilets must be provided to accommodate festive traffic demand, as well as increasing staff to maintain toilet cleanliness and ensure sufficient water supply. Users are encouraged to continue their journey and stop at the next R&R, lay-by, or toll plaza if a location is crowded,” said MHA.
It further said that highway concessionaires must ensure there is adequate fuel supply at petrol stations, in collaboration with station operators and oil suppliers, for users’ convenience.
“MHA also advises highway users to plan their journey by referring to the MyPLUS-TTA application (for North-South Expressway travel) and the Travel Time Advisory (TTA) issued by AFA Prime (for Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and East Coast Expressway Phase 1).
“Users must ensure vehicles are in good condition before travelling as well as check and maintain sufficient balance in Touch ‘n Go cards and e-wallets.
“Users travelling on sections with ‘smart lane’ activation may use the emergency lane as an alternative route during congestion and are advised to follow traffic signboards.
“Motorcyclists are reminded to stay alert while riding, especially when using the emergency lane, and to seek shelter at designated motorcycle shelters during bad weather. A total of 472 motorcycle shelters have been provided along highways,” MHA stated.
Highway users can obtain real-time traffic updates or incident information via the official social media platforms of LLM and concessionaires—the Malaysian Highway Authority Facebook page, X (formerly Twitter) @llmtrafik, and TikTok @llmtrafik, or by contacting the LLM Traffic Management Centre at 1–800–88–7752.
For live CCTV feeds of current traffic conditions on highways, users can visit the LLM official website at https://www.llm.gov.my.
In its statement, MHA also extended its warmest Deepavali and Festival of Lights greetings to all Hindu highway users.
