Penang Bridge SmartTag and RFID toll lanes merged

Penang Bridge SmartTag and RFID toll lanes merged

The Plaza Tol A on the Penang Bridge has opened its third mixed RFID and SmartTag lane, PLUS has announced. Previously an exclusive SmartTag lane, the change on the rightmost lane started on the morning of December 25.

The highway operator says that motorists coming from Kedah or Sg Dua can use this lane, and those from the direction of Juru can head straight to the RFID lanes at the bridge’s Plaza Tol B.

For those who are still wondering what this RFID thing is all about and why is it in the news, PLUS is finally getting on the RFID bandwagon and the main stretch of the North-South Highway – from Juru in Penang to Skudai in Johor – will support radio frequency identification (RFID) from January 15, 2022.

Penang Bridge SmartTag and RFID toll lanes merged

However, the introduction of RFID does not mean that PLUS toll booths will stop accepting Touch n Go and SmartTag payment next year – these will continue and RFID is just an option for now, not yet a replacement.

TnG and SmartTag will eventually be phased out, but this is just the “first step towards the implementation of toll payments without the presence of toll plazas,” said PLUS MD Datuk Azman Ismail. The government has said that it is targeting to achieve 60% usage of RFID for toll collection by the end of 2022, and that the use of TnG and SmartTag may be stopped by the end of 2023.

Read more on the end game, which is multi-lane free flow (MLFF, no toll booths), as well as a full explainer and FAQ on how RFID works on PLUS highways.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Izhar on Dec 27, 2021 at 12:29 pm

    Owners of kereta sewa is scaratching their heads since last week.RFID deduct from their e wallet.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Dec 27, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    hello double-charging

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 5
    • Arnie on Dec 27, 2021 at 6:05 pm

      Just don’t put up ur Smart Tag, genius.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 14
      • Semi-Value (Member) on Dec 28, 2021 at 6:57 pm

        one minute they say the smart tag supposed to be stuck to the windscreen with the holder provided. next its the consumers fault for doing so? great job tng staff.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Will TnG Card get phased out as well? If you are not phasing out the physical card, just let it… allowing only 1 or 2 lanes for TnG card and Smart Tag. or Phase out smart tag altogether. RFID still requires slowing down… with barriers sometimes not functioning properly. And car parks using TnG payment, still requires physical card. Sigh.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Arnie on Dec 27, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      Once RFID full implementation is complete, expect a quick discontinuation of Smart Tag use.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • I thought RFID is supposed to help smoothen traffic flow, removing the need to stop and tap tng card. Why merge with smart tag instead of changing a tng lane to RFID?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Arnie on Dec 27, 2021 at 6:06 pm

      RFID similar to TNG is pass thru so no need stopping, merging with TNG is utter stupidity coz RFID users will have to wait for TNG user to stop & tap.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Choong Khim Fen on Dec 27, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    What happen if i got built in smart tag and RFID and so through the combo RFID and smart tag lane? Double charge? On RFID and smart tag?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • should be 2 TNG , 2 Smart tag , 1 RFID

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Wong Ah Tiam on Dec 27, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    Please do not confuse consumers. Your location is Prai.,Bukit Mertajam and Not Butterworth. Your geographical knowledge is very poor. Take note.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • stranger on Dec 28, 2021 at 8:56 am

    Force close top-up lane at toll booth, but top-up online still cannot. Can top-up eWallet only online, but not all tolls deduct eWallet. Want enforce RFID, keep all TNG lanes. None of this makes any sense. Nevertheless, people still use. The power of monopoly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • David Kok Heng Guan on Dec 28, 2021 at 4:22 pm

    Please use back the smart tag and RfID.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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