If you’ve ever tried forcing Google Maps or Waze to use the West Coast Expressway (WCE) instead of the usual PLUS Highway route, you’ll know it isn’t always straightforward.
Most navigation apps tend to default to the North-South Expressway (PLUS), even when WCE could have been a viable alternative.
To make it easier to find your way to get on WCE, they have just updated its mobile app which now comes with a built-in “Route Assistant” feature.
According to WCE, the new Route Assistant allows users to navigate to their destination through WCE routes with a single tap. At the time of writing, the feature only supports Google Maps and Apple Maps, as Waze isn’t supported yet.
Besides make it easier to navigate through WCE, the updated app also introduces a couple of new features to make your travel seamless. This includes live CCTV traffic viewing, which lets users check current traffic conditions at various locations along the route before starting their journey.
WCE has also introduced a new “Traffic Update” feature that provides real-time alerts and notifications for incidents such as major accidents, temporary road closures and traffic disruptions.
Other features added to the app include the AI-powered “WCE Assistant” for travel and highway-related enquiries, a Toll Rate Calculator based on entry and exit plazas as well as vehicle class, navigation for EV charging stations, R&R areas, toll plazas and emergency phone numbers.
In addition, the app also helps users discover interesting tourist attractions, historical landmarks, hotels and restaurants along the WCE alignment. Users can tap on selected destinations and get route guidance directly through supported navigation apps.
West Coast Expressway Managing Director Lyndon Alfred Felix said the app enhancement is part of WCE’s ongoing efforts to improve the highway user experience through digital technology.
“We want to ensure that WCE users not only enjoy a smoother and safer journey, but also have convenient access to accurate information at all times,” he said.
The updated WCE app is available via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
At the moment, 8 out of 11 sections of WCE are open to the public. This includes Section 1,2 5 and 6 in the Selangor alignment and Section 8, 9, 10 and 11 in the Perak alignment. Section 4 has been completed but is yet to be opened, while Sections 3 and 7 are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
WCE now has 6 R&Rs operational while the remaining 4 R&Rs are targeted to be completed by the end of this year. There are currently 4 EV charging locations along WCE located at Taiping Selatan Toll Plaza (Southbound), Trong Toll Plaza, Assam Jawa Toll Plaza and SAE Toll Plaza. Two upcoming petrol stations are in progress, pending approval.
In case you missed it, WCE now supports TNG eWallet PayDirect at all toll plazas.
