Malaysians have been using Touch ‘n Go (TNG) on highways and roads for more than 26 years. The first TNG system was installed and used at Jalan Pahang Toll Plaza on 18 March 1997 and even after more than two decades, TNG remains the only way we can use to pay tolls. But that is about to change.
Free Malaysia Today reports that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has announced that his administration will review the monopoly of Touch ‘n Go in collecting highway tolls due to the lack of significant progress and advancement in the system, despite operating for nearly 20 years. (Actually, it was operating for more than 20 years.)
The government has also recently announced that drivers will have the ability to use any digital payment provider to pay for highway tolls, not just Touch ‘n Go.
The adoption level of the RFID payment system and the willingness of highway concessionaires to integrate additional payment systems will determine the outcome, according to Public Works Minister, Fadillah Yusof.
Additionally, the concessionaires have been instructed to implement the multi-lane free flow system by 2025, which would remove toll booths and dedicated lanes by using gantries equipped with automatic number plate recognition.
