Works Ministry: Open Payment System On Track To Be Implemented At 12 Highways In September

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

16th June 2023 - 3 min read

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has reiterated that the open payment system, which allows motorists to pay their toll fees using debit and credit cards, is on course to be implemented at 12 highways starting from September this year.

The list of highway concessionaires who will be involved in this exercise include:

Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH)
Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE)
Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP)
Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE)
Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE)
Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX)
New Pantai Expressway (NPE)
Penang Bridge (JPP)
Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS)
SMART Tunnel
Sungai Besi Expressway (BESRAYA)
Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal Scheme (SPRINT)

“The system is one of the efforts and initiatives of the government that is committed to the transition towards the implementation of the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection system which is expected to be realised in stages by next year,” said Datuk Seri Alexander, referring to a toll payment system where motorists will not need to stop at barriers or physical toll booths for toll fee collection.

Instead, the toll gantries will be equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) or automated number plate recognition technology – or other similar technologies – to track and charge the vehicles. In turn, this will reduce congestion on the road.

Earlier in March this year, the minister had initially said that only five highways will be participating in the implementation of these new payment options. Subsequently, in May, he shared that 12 highway concessionaires – as listed above – have agreed to join the open toll payment system in September, with more hoped to join.

Datuk Seri Alexander had also previously said that the government hopes to conduct a proof-of-concept (POC) for the MLFF system before the end of 2023. The MLFF system, meanwhile, will likely be fully implemented by the third quarter of 2024.

At present, motorists travelling on along highways are only allowed to pay for their toll fees via methods tied to Touch ‘n Go (TNG), including TNG cards, TNG PayDirect, and RFID. The introduction of the open payment system will essentially see TNG’s monopoly of the highway toll collection service come to an end, and hopefully, at the same time, offer better convenience to motorists. Along with this, public transport users, too, will be able to use credit and debit cards to pay for their fares soon, although the Ministry of Transport has yet to share an estimated date for the implementation.

(Source: 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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