Works Ministry confirms no more TnG and SmartTag services by 2025

• TnG and SmartTag to phase out by 2025
• Debit and credit card payments coming soon
• To end monopoly on highway tolls

In an exclusive interview with Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Works Minister Fadillah Yusof confirmed that Touch ‘n Go (TnG) card usage on highway tolling and SmartTag lanes will be phased out by 2025.

All highway concessionaires have already been instructed to get ready for implementation of the multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) barrier-free tolling system by 2025.

Other than that, they have also been instructed to get ready to implement payment systems that will allow the public to use any digital mode of payment.

Other than the TnG eWallet, users can also choose to use their debit or credit card by Visa or Mastercard as payment options.

He also assured the public that only one RFID tag would be required even though users can use any payment method they want. “As long as there is a link available on a (particular) highway.”

According to FMT, it is estimated that there are more than 20 million TnG cards in circulation. About 91 percent of transactions are done on the 31 highways in the country.

Also read: Works Ministry to PLUS and TnGo: Justify charging RM 35 for RFID stickers

However, Fadillah also notes that only when the RFID uptake reaches a satisfactory rate and when highway concessionaires are ready to link up additional online payment providers will the implementation of new payment methods start.

For now, he confirms that the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) is in the process of making sure it would be convenient for the public to embrace the online mode of payment.

“We have been listening to the people’s demand to open more (online payments) and we are aware that people have been complaining that they have to pay in advance for Touch ‘n Go whether they are using (the highway) or not,” he said. “We have to balance all this (issues).”

Also read: No more SmartTag lanes soon, so where and how do I get an RFID tag?

Back on the topic of highway concessionaires being told to be ready for the implementation of the MLFF, he added: “If we feel there will be some delay by some highway concessionaires, we may consider a private investment model or private finance initiatives to take over (the MLFF system).

“The private investment model is for an open system. As you can see there are many highways in the country and all the systems need to be integrated. If we look at Singapore and Taiwan, they have single authority control (over the system).”

Also read: Indonesia teaches Malaysia how to do a better RFID toll system

Fadillah further highlighted that the MLFF system is the key factor in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) blueprint for the highway networks.

He confirmed that the ANPR pilot programme is already underway along the Kajang-Seremban Highway (Lekas) while another is scheduled to start on the Besraya Highway soon.

Also read: FOMCA: RFID is the key to gateless, smoother and faster toll transactions