Works Ministry wants PLUS to explain problems with RFID’s execution
Hans · Jan 17, 2022 09:45 PM
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Note cars reversing from both RFID lanes
Following this morning’s epic traffic jams at several toll plazas caused by the replacement of SmartTag lanes with RFID lanes, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof is now asking highway operator PLUS to resolve the matter in the soonest.
“The Works Ministry has contacted PLUS and Touch ‘N Go to resolve all matters related to the execution of RFID as soon as possible,” said the Ministry’s statement to the press issued earlier today.
The minister also explained that RFID (radio frequency identification) technology is an initiative by PLUS, with RFID supplied by Touch ‘N Go and since it’s a pioneering technology, there will be several issues that needs to be addressed.
Taiwan's gantry-less ETC shown
WapCar: ‘Pioneering’ is not a word that we will use to describe RFID. RFID is a mature and well understood technology that has been in use in many countries for decades. Plus (pun intended), what happened to the learnings / user feedback gathered from the years of pilot trials for RFID? The problems raised today aren't new.
Australian toll road shown, note the gantry-less toll booths. Only possible when standardised number plates are enforced, something which Malaysia's JPJ still cannot do.
The Works Ministry also said that it will continue to monitor and ensure that PLUS and Touch ‘N Go will resolve all matters related to RFID and SmartTag, and that all complaints by the public will be taken seriously.
The last point is a bit contradictory though, because PLUS has since shutdown the comments section on all its social media channels.
PLUS has the locked comments section on all its social media channels
“With regards to complaints from the public on RFID, the Works Ministry have asked Touch ‘N Go and PLUS to explain to the public and to find the best solution for all issues raised,” said the Ministry.
On 16-December 2021, the Works Ministry announced that SmartTag and Touch ‘N Go lanes will be phased out in stages, in favour of RFID, starting 15-January 2022.
Following intense backlash from the public, PLUS’ public relations team had on 19-December, reacted to the Ministry’s announcement with a somewhat contradictory message, insisting that Touch ‘N Go and SmartTag lanes will remain, but it remained coy on the most important point - when Touch ‘N Go and Smart Tag will be completely phased out.
No clear answer was given until 21-December, when Deputy Works Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup was probed by Senator Aknan Ehtook, only then did the Ministry finally revealed the timeline, which is as early as end-2023, depending on take-up rate of RFID.
Earlier today, many highway users complained that SmartTag lanes have been removed on various toll plazas, causing massive traffic jams in Bandar Seri Putra, Bangi, and Sungai Besi – contradicting PLUS’ earlier assurance that SmartTag will remain operational.
The jam at Sungai Besi toll plaza was reportedly backlogged for 10 km. Many RFID users also complained of problems using with the toll plaza gantry’s readers failing to detect their RFID tags.
Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.
