Users have long voiced complaints about the monopoly of Touch ‘n Go (TnG) for payments on public transport and highway toll collection. There have been multiple service issues linked to the operator such as the difficulty in obtaining TnG cards and Smart Tag devices and the lack of sales points. Many tourists also face the issue of acquiring TnG cards to enjoy a lower cashless fare for trains.
In a Facebook post, Anthony Loke, Minister for Transport of Malaysia said, “Public transport users can soon look forward to alternative contactless payments such as credit and debit cards besides the current default Touch ‘n Go card. I have instructed public transportation agencies and operators such as Rapid KL and KTM Berhad to adopt an open payment system.”
Many Malaysian citizens commented on the post expressing their support for the move while others gave suggestions for other improvements such as fixing the KTM Komuter service in the Klang Valley.
The Transport Minister said after the press conference of the grand opening of the Plaza Premium Lounge at KLIA Terminal 1 that an open payment system is in the works and is expected to be rolled out in the next few months, especially for services under Prasarana Malaysia Bhd which and KTM Bhd. Public transport services that use TnG include bus services under Prasarana, Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB).
According to The Star, he said, “For public transportation, I have ordered all our agencies, including operators under the ministry, to adopt an open payment system. For example, LRT users only have two options now, which are to buy a token from the vending machine or to use Touch ’n Go. We want to roll out an open payment system whereby, besides Touch ‘n Go, users can tap their debit or credit card to go in. It will take some time to integrate the system.” This would include users of public buses. He stressed that this does not signal the end of TnG services, just more payment options for users.
Touch ‘n Go’s Highway Toll Collection Monopoly
During a recent Youth Empowerment Fair, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim remarked that the government would reconsider TnG’s monopoly of highway toll collection. He mentioned that they had been operating for more than two decades but had not shown any progress.
When asked to comment on the matter, Loke said that TnG would remain one of the payment options for public transport. He said that it was up to the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to adopt an open payment system for highway tolling as he could only speak for public transportation.
Image credit: @chaiwailung