PETALING JAYA: For businesswoman Nooridatul Afzan, 47, rest stops are simply places to freshen up after a long drive.
However, after experiencing the Elmina rest & recreation (R&R) stop on the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), she came away impressed by its aesthetics and cleanliness, and also the convenience it offers.
“Usually, I don’t expect much from rest stops because most of them are not clean. But this Elmina R&R stop is definitely on another level,” she told FMT.
Nooridatul, who was travelling with her family from Saujana Utama to Kajang, also described the stop as clean and visually appealing.
“My family and I have visited this place numerous times, especially on weekends. Every time we come here, it’s consistently clean and well-organised.
“For me, one of the crucial factors in choosing rest stops is the cleanliness of the toilets, and I must say these are impeccably maintained,” she added.
Both northbound and southbound Elmina R&R stops underwent renovations from late 2020 to early 2021.
Since both R&Rs got a fresh makeover, they have become attractions for highway travellers and have garnered public recognition.
Last year, the southbound R&R won the Toilet of The Year Award 2023 for the R&R category across all highways in Malaysia.
Azmi Hamid, a 35-year-old private sector worker returning home from a holiday in Perlis, also praised the restroom’s cleanliness.
“I was impressed with the toilet because the level of cleanliness here is remarkable. It feels like you’re in some fancy mall, not just a regular highway rest stop.
“Overall, the facilities are comfortable and satisfactory. I’ve been here several times before and found the design comfortable and unique compared with other rest areas. The food here is also great, with a lot of variety,” he told FMT.
Meanwhile, Prolintas Group CEO Azlan Abdullah said the renovation of the rest stops was crucial to enhancing the experience for commuters.
“It is not just a mere rest stop; it is a meeting place, and a place to enjoy a good meal with family and friends for people who live in the surrounding areas, including Elmina, Bukit Subang, Bukit Jelutong and Denai Alam,” he told FMT.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives, emphasising GCE’s commitment to users’ safety and convenience through wide emergency lanes, utility reserve lanes, dedicated motorcycle lanes and a landscaped 4-metre central median.
“The expressway is also fully lighted to provide visibility at all hours. Proactive maintenance efforts here ensure that conditions of the road surface, lay-bys, rest and service areas, motorcycle shelters, lighting systems and even landscaping works are kept to exacting standards.
“GCE has also been a catalyst for growth for townships along the expressway, providing the advantage of quick and hassle-free mobility,” said Azlan.
GCE spans 25 kilometres from Shah Alam to Rawang and features seven strategic interchanges, namely Jelutong-NKVE Interchange, Jelutong Sentral Interchange, Jelutong Utara Interchange, Bukit Subang Interchange, Elmina Interchange, Paya Jaras Interchange and Lagong Interchange.
It consists of three toll plazas at Bukit Jelutong, Elmina and Lagong and connects to other key highways, including the KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR) and Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH). As part of the Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road (KLORR), GCE provides access to the North-South Expressway as an alternative to bypass New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE).
GCE is one of Prolintas’s subsidiaries through Prolintas Infra Business Trust, a business trust unit scheduled to be listed March 25 on the main market of Bursa Malaysia.
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