PLUS said that the LJT fine can be imposed on motorists based on an estimated travel time between one toll booth to another toll booth, taking into consideration the speed limit on the route. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Operator PLUS Malaysia Berhad confirmed yesterday that several motorists have been penalised with long journey time (LJT) fine after spending too long to complete their trip on highways under its maintenance.

The operator explained that the fine was based on a certain algorithm, and is one of its attempts to deal with increasingly rampant transit card manipulation by motorists on PLUS highways.

“So, we charge a LJT fine if the time of entering and exiting a highway is suspicious based on a calculation formula that has been set,” it said in a statement on its website.

It said that the LJT fine can be imposed on motorists based on an estimated travel time between one toll booth to another toll booth, taking into consideration the speed limit on the route.

The fine also takes into account traffic congestion, accidents, vehicle breakdowns, all which can contribute to motorists exceeding their set travel time.

“However the penalty will only be imposed if the motorists fail to produce reasonable evidence or excuse for exceeding the set travel time when asked by the toll booth staff upon exiting the highway,” it added.

Recently, several blogs reported the complaints of a Facebook user called Damar Wulan, who said that he was fined RM9.40 when exiting the highway at the Pendang toll plaza, after spending 90 minutes at the rest and services area (R&R) in Gurun, Kedah.

PLUS proceeded to provide an example of an LJT fine for a journey between the Gurun and Pendang toll booths.

“A journey between the Gurun toll plaza and the Pendang toll plaza normally takes 30 minutes. However, 138 minutes is added to this time based on the consideration that the motorist had rested at the Gurun R&R. If the motorist exits the Pendang toll plaza without reasonable evidence or excuse, the fine will be imposed,” it said.

PLUS however said that it will refund the fine amount of the motorist is able to provide evidence later on.

It also said that it does not impose the fines for motorists who go to work at the R&R stops and would exceed the set travel time.

According to PLUS, the transit card manipulation is allegedly done by exchanging, keeping and manipulating the cards, and the number of such cases is increasing by the year.