Yesterday, we reported that that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that his administration will review the monopoly of Touch ‘n Go (TNG) in collecting highway tolls due to the lack of significant progress and advancement in the system, despite operating for more than 20 years. Now, the government wants to do away with TNG monopoly of payment for public transport as well.
Free Malaysia Today reports that the transport minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook, has announced that an open payment system will soon be introduced for Rapid bus and rail services under Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and other public transport services.
This means that commuters will have more payment options besides using TNG cards, such as bank cards or credit cards. Loke clarified that this does not mean the end of TNGs services, but rather it will be one of several payment options.
The lack of choices in paying for public transport services and highway tolls has been a concern among users, and the matter has been discussed in the Cabinet.
He added that Prasarana has been instructed to implement the open payment method, but it will take time to integrate the system. Currently, TNG is used as a mode of payment for public transport services such as Rapid bus and rail services, and KTM railway services.