Well, that didn't happen:

The sloppy implementation of the system created massive jams all around city as hundreds of motorists were stuck in a crawl over the weekend.

RFID caused massive congestion

After coming under heavy fire, highway concessionaire PLUS has issued a public apology.

PLUS acknowledged that the implementation of the RFID system at all of its 83 toll plazas as well as the removal of SmartTAG lanes have caused inconvenience for motorists during its initial rollout.

According to several news reports, several toll plazas in the Klang Valley experienced heavy traffic congestion after its RFID lanes failed to function properly.

“First and foremost, PLUS wishes to apologise to all its highway customers for the inconvenience caused as a result of the congestion during the initial implementation of the Second Public Pilot RFID along the North-South Expressway from Juru to Skudai on January 15," PLUS said in a statement quoted by Malay Mail.

PLUS to reinstate SmartTAG lanes

Image credit: Paultan.org

To ensure that the same situation doesn't happen twice, PLUS' strategic stakeholder engagement head Syed Mohammed Idid told New Straits Times that the highway will be adding more SmartTAG and Touch n' Go lanes.

According to Syed, a total of 19 SmartTAG and hybrid SmartTAG-Touch 'n Go lanes will be operational in 16 key toll plazas along the North-South Expressway (NSE) by 25 January.

Another 18 more toll plazas will convert 24 lanes into SmartTAG lanes on 19 February, he added.

Other steps that PLUS will take to ensure a smoother experience include:

• Installing the quicker 'double arm' lane barriers at plazas with high traffic
• Visual RFID detection zones will be painted on the lanes to ensure motorists are able to position their vehicle properly to ensure optimum detection
• Deploying on-the-ground personnel at all 158 RFID lanes across 74 toll plazas
• Replacing faulty RFID stickers at strategic fitment centres (click here for the list of fitment centres)

Well, the initial roll out could've been done better, for sure, but at least PLUS is now trying to fix their boo-boo.

We do hope that our fellow Malaysians will not get stuck in another brutal traffic jam because the RFID lanes didn't work.