Toll users can soon pay with debit, credit cards on four highways

 

Four highways will implement the open payment system for their tolls latest by September 2023, announced Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.

This means besides using Touch ‘n Go (TnG), users can soon pay tolls on those highways using debit or credit cards.

The four highways are the Sungai Besi Highway, the New Pantai Expressway, the Ampang-Kuala Lumput Elevated Highway and the Guthrie Corridor Expressway.

“The implementation of this open payment system is among the early initiatives as part of a shift towards a multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) system that we are working on,” Alexander said in a statement today.

This comes after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on March 19 that the government will look into the TnG monopoly of highway toll collection as there has not been any convincing development or progress with the system.

Alexander said efforts to address the monopoly had started last year and it has become his main focus since he was given the Works Ministry portfolio.

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi

“Since early this year, I have already instructed for planning and discussions to be held with the relevant parties as well as the highway concessionaires to carve a path towards an open payment system,” he added.

The minister said he has been present at the various discussions held which have led to this announcement.

MLFF proof of concept

Alexander also announced that the MLFF proof of concept (POC) will be implemented before the end of October to evaluate the system before it is rolled out to all highways nationwide.

For now, the location for the POC is still under negotiations and will be finalised soon, he said.

The full rollout for the MLFF is expected to be done in phases latest by the third quarter of 2024.

“Through the MLFF implementation, the open payment system will be implemented for toll collection at all highways and will open up the opportunity for more e-wallet providers to join, which will mean no more monopoly for TnG.

“With that, a healthy competition will exist among industry players which will give more choices to highway users for their toll payments,” Alexander said, adding that he hopes to receive cooperation from all quarters in this effort. - Mkini