PLUS urges motorists to ensure sufficient balance in tollcard, especially at Penang Bridge

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PLUS urges motorists to ensure sufficient balance in tollcard, especially at Penang Bridge

During the period of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which will last until April 14 (unless extended, which we will know after April 10), the general public is required to remain at home. They are not totally ‘locked down’ and can still travel to buy essential items, medical supplies or visit hospitals and clinics. But no makan angin drives and no dining at eating places, only takeaway.

The aim is to ‘flatten the curve’, which refers to bringing down the number of cases of COVID-19 so that our hospitals and healthcare system can cope. You will have read that in some countries, the number of cases has grown to such a huge, unexpected number that the hospitals do not have sufficient capacity and vital medical equipment is insufficient.

We are fortunate that we have not reach such a critical level but if we do not do our part – staying at home is what the general public can do to help – then we too could end up like Italy. And if the curve does not flatten, the government may most likely maintain the MCO longer which does no one any good.

Flattening the curve — *By flattening the curve, the number of cases will be less and the hospitals will be able to help more infected people.*

For those living in Penang and use the Penang Bridge, PLUS is urging motorists to ensure that they have enough balance in their Touch‘nGo card before they cross the bridge which the concessionaire manages. Topping-up needs to be done at locations other than the toll plaza which no longer does reloads to avoid the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.

It is believed that many hundreds of vehicles approach the toll plaza daily with insufficient balance in their tollcard. This causes a jam which affects the flow of commercial vehicles that are bringing essential items to the island.

Petrol station — *The convenience stores at petrol stations can do tollcard reloads or there are ATM machines that also do it.*

“We urge highway users to always ensure that they have sufficient balance in their Touch‘nGo card. They may do reload at numerous top-up zones such as bank ATM machines, convenience stores and petrol stations which are conveniently located around the island and the mainland. Self-service kiosks are also available at various points along the PLUS highway,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

“Above all, the best move to curb the spread COVID-19 is to stay home and practise social distancing. By ensuring your Touch‘nGo card has sufficient balance for toll transactions, it eliminates the need to physically interact with our Customer Service Assistants and at the same time, ensure social distancing is observed,” Encik Zakaria added.