Free SMS alerts on bridge traffic
MOTORISTS can now receive free SMS alerts on critical traffic situations on the Penang Bridge via their mobile phones.
Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd Information Technology manager Azman Abdullah said the company’s online traffic information management (OTIM) system would update motorists with current traffic reports on the bridge through the service.
“We want to help motorists plan their trips well to avoid being caught in a traffic snarl during a critical situation on the bridge,” he said yesterday.
Azman said critical situations included vehicle breakdown, lane or link closure and massive congestion on the bridge.
“This free auto-alert SMS system will inform users the exact location of a break- down or accident within a few minutes from the time the incident has taken place.
“Since it is a 24-hour service, those who register for it should be prepared to receive updates even after midnight,” he said, adding that so far, there were about 1,000 registered users.
Motorists can register for the service by sending an SMS with the phrase ‘OTIM REG’ to 019-4459644.
To deregister, send an SMS with the phrase ‘OTIM UNREG’ to this number.
Azman said motorists could alternatively use the company’s existing OTIM real-time traffic updates, where every SMS query would be charged according to the rates set by the different service providers.
To obtain the OTIM update, motorists should send an SMS with the phrase ‘OTIM topen’ for island-bound drivers or ‘OTIM toprai’ for mainland-bound drivers to 012-3446900 (for Maxis users), 013-3883131 (Celcom) or 016-3390999 (DiGi).
Penang subscribers can send their SMS to 012-4345366 (Maxis), 019-5733666 (Celcom) and 016-4168666 (DiGi) for local rate charges.
He said the OTIM real-time traffic updates gave detailed traffic reports based on visuals on the closed-circuit-television (CCTV) cameras located in Seberang Jaya, Juru, Penang Bridge toll plaza, Penang Bridge midspan, Udini Road and Bayan Baru.
He added that it also provided an estimated travel time on the bridge.
Folks, so sad to say you need to take this with a large tablespoonful of salt. The last time they had a massive jam starting from 9.30am, I arrived in B'worth at noon. Upon hearing about the jam, I sent an sms to above numbers. It was 10pm that night when I was back home safe and warm, when the reply came. Great help wasn't it???
ReplyDelete