Tolls On Five Highways To Accept Credit, Debit Card Payments By September 2023

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

22nd March 2023 - 2 min read

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has announced that motorists travelling on five highways will be able to pay for their toll fees using debit and credit cards by September 2023. This comes as the ministry pushes forward to implement an open payment system for toll collection, in preparation for Malaysia’s transition to a multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) system.

The five highways that were selected for the implementation of these new payment options include:

New Pantai Expressway (NPE)
Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH)
Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya)
Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE)
Penang Bridge

“Since the beginning of this year, I have ordered planning and discussions with the parties involved, as well as highway concession companies to take steps towards the implementation of an open payment system. I have also participated in various discussions that have been held,” said the minister.

Aside from that, Datuk Seri Alexander also said that the government will conduct a proof-of-concept (POC) for the MLFF system before the end of October 2023, with the location to be finalised soon. This is as the ministry now hopes to implement the MLFF system fully by the third quarter of 2024, instead of the original targeted date of 2025.

“Through the implementation of MLFF, an open payment system will be implemented for toll collection for all highways in Malaysia, and will open up opportunities for more e-wallet providers to participate, and no longer a monopoly by Touch ‘n Go (TNG),” said Datuk Seri Alexander, adding that this will lead to healthy competition among industry players, as well as improved convenience to highway users.

Datuk Seri Alexander’s announcement came just a day after Transport Minister Anthony Loke, too, said that credit and debit cards will soon be accepted for the payment of public transport fares. Both announcements, in turn, came after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the government will look into reviewing TNG’s monopoly of highway toll payments.

Meanwhile, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamed had shared earlier that studies on implementing the MLFF system are expected to begin in 2024, in accordance with the original implementation date of 2025. He further highlighted that these studies are necessary before the implementation of the system as it will involve a significant budget of RM3.46 billion.

(Sources: Works Minister, Malay Mail)

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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