The implementation of radio frequency identification (RFID) toll payment on the main stretch of the North-South Highway (PLUS) from Juru in Penang to Skudai in Johor, effective January 15, has received mixed reactions from various groups, Bernama reports.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA) says that the implementation is in line with the government’s intention to modernise toll payments and reduce congestion at toll plazas and should be viewed positively. Its deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said that the negative reaction from some netizens over the government’s move was similar to the situation that occurred during the transition from cash payment system to Touch ‘n Go (TnG) at toll plazas.
“However, it did not take long for the public to accept the change (from cash payment to TnG). It shows our people are prepared to accept changes. As more and more people use the facility, the response will be more positive. Many people do not agree now because not many people use it,” he told Bernama.
He said RFID would make life easier for users. “As many people say, to top-up Touch’ n Go is a hassle. You have to stop at convenience stores or petrol stations, and you have to have cash because cashless top-up is not possible. So RFID provides an easier option because the top-up can be done on smartphones either using a debit or credit card, or online banking. It also has a direct top-up feature using e-Wallet,” he said.
In relation to this point, it is worth noting that a PayDirect feature on TnG card and SmartTAG exists, and allows users to link up to three Touch n’ Go cards to their eWallet app. Once a card is linked to the eWallet, the toll charge will automatically be deducted from the eWallet whenever a linked card is used at a toll booth (either by tapping it on a reader or by using a SmartTAG), without any deductions on the physical card itself. However, this feature is not available on PLUS.
Mohd Yusof welcomed the move to implement the RFID in stages. “The option given to motorists to use TnG and Smart Tag for a certain period of time is appropriate until everyone has access to RFID. Then, PLUS can gradually eliminate the existing payment methods and switch to RFID completely,” he said, adding that PLUS should carry out more promotions on RFID for the benefit of consumers.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) activist leader Datuk Nadzim Johan questioned whether there was an urgent need for RFID to be implemented, given the difficulties faced by many due to the impact of Covid-19.
He said although PLUS had clarified that TnG and Smart Tag could still be used on its highways, it was still ’bad news’ for some people. “Even though it is just an announcement and the existing payment method is still running, it is making some people to become more stressed,” he told the national news agency.
He said the move would impact those in rural areas, as some may have problems installing RFID on the vehicles. “There must be a guarantee that there will be no additional costs on the users,” he said, adding that PLUS should offer more clarification on the implementation of RFID.
Last month, the works ministry said it is targeting to achieve 60% RFID usage for toll collection by the end of 2022, and that the use of TnG and SmartTAG cards may be stopped by the end of 2023. According to the TnG RFID portal, there are currently 1,269,957 RFID users nationwide.
Find out more about RFID on PLUS highways and how the system works here.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
They need to improve a lot the reader which capture the RFID. It is very slow. The reader located on top ceiling at the centre of the lane while the tag is on the left side of the car. I find the trick is to drive very slowly and very close to the right in order to make the reader work very well.
Copy paste: “Whether RFID or SMART TAG, the angle of the camera sensor is important so that cars can be detected as early as possible instead of coming into the bay and getting snagged. Properly angled, the drive should be smooth and continuous. This will give ample warning to driver if there is sufficient balance. There should also be a penalty levied if the car reaches without sufficient balance and driven into a parking bay to top-up.”
FOMCA boss echoes my comment previously, Malaysians are just stubborn to change but when forced thru they quickly accepts it, in turn it becomes the ‘new norm’, now with RFID incoming those voices that demanded to retain cash toll payments are the same ones demanding to retain usage of TNG & ST. Some even ask to clarify, what is there to clarify? RFID have been rolled out for a few years now the system has time to mature and now with added feature of ANPR to protect users. There is no dispute that moving ahead is the only option. Technology marches on.
Since you are so eager to give money to toll concessionaires, please spare a thought & give some to me.
Wait, didn’t we vote back in 2018 in to have no more tolls, what about that?
Spare a thought to our capati manifesto to abolish tolls. Amen.
If the sixty yrs big G didn’t start the toll, news of advance technology like RFID would not be well publicised.
It is very frustrating when you drive slow in the RFID lane then have to stop and reverse your car twice and then only the gate open. RFID doesn’t work period !! Smart Tag is better. Please rethink on the best system that works!!
Did Efkon pay u guys to come here and BS?
The reason is simple, they are using older Tech where it takes ages to scan. New Tech like the ones use overseas are very sophiscated and can detect cars moving at fast speed. Look up China/Taiwan/Singapore/Germany and their systems. RFID has many versions. Malaysian version 1…. antique.
Useless RFID … if you want to change, change to active RFID like Singapore and US. No need palang or to slow down vehicle. Still seeing vehicle jem-up at RFID line at Penang Bridge and BKE everyday !!! Maintain smarttag until ready to remove all tol palang and slowdown vehicle. Otherwise it is not helping rakyat at all !
Copy paste: “Given Smart tag so many years in operations, what are your improvements?
When we pass by toll everyday, I will still see cars stuck at smart tag lane for whatever reasons, and all the cars behind have to reverse to change lane. It’s happening every single day, everywhere. Please show some statistics on these incidents.
Reload touch & go card is another pain.
Moving to RFID, using e-wallet to deduct toll and reload is definitely the future. Cost of Getting RFID is much cheaper than getting smart tag device.”
just wait until your RFID died every half year then you know the pain Rm35 every time
My Smart Tag device is dying every year and I have to pay RM 90 for it, so if replacing RFID sticker is just RM 70 a year, bring it on.
Copy paste: “Personal experience says otherwise. RFID is way, way faster than SmartTag, and the best part is I don’t have to reload the physical TNG card anymore, all done through TNG e-wallet.”
Copycat lagi…
more like crony technology la…
the world is moving to GPS based tracking for toll charges and all. SG is already in the works to replace their gantry based ERP system to GPS.
WE, Malaysia, has all the learning from other countries and should have move to better one… but but someone has to jaga their crony company. hence rfid. worse still, it’s a passive RFID.
all this bullshit have to supplement with ANPR to compensate the lack of accuracy by the RFID solution.
that makes why people questioning the approach. look at the cars that stuck in RFID lane… detection rate is crap. sticking my car headlight doesn’t work, now I have to get a new one to stick on my wind screen. who bear the cost? me cuz I have to buy another rfid tag for the purpose.
you can say whatever it is but … the end results speak for themselves. period!
ANPR is used even with IR based systems. It complements not compensate RFID.
the question is, why need ANPR to compensate if there’s another technology that’s already mature, more efficient….
SG ERP uses ANPR to compensate, once they go GPS, they will be gantryless, ANPRless. why bother.
As you mentioned, even SG uses ANPR to compensate so which technology is already mature, more efficient?
I fully supported the idea to modernise and use the latest technologies to make tolled road experience better. However, I do have some concerns:
1) Whatever system deployed has to be at least similar or better than what it is replacing. So far my RFID experience in Malaysia indicated its not ready yet to be deployed.
2) Why are we the road users being charged for the cost of technology e.g. RFID fitment costs us RM35 per vehicle. Should this cost be borne by the operator as the faster turnaround of vehicles will translate directly as toll operator’s revenue and profit.
3) Finally, our toll road experiences thus far has been wanting. To compare with other cities eg Singapore, Melbourne, etc showed that KL is still behind. Too many operators trying to make money and lack of coordination between them is making the road users the victim. Time for agency to behave like BNM in financial and banking sector
1) Pilot batch user here, my experience with RFID is spotless except that 1 time I forgot to topup. My fault there.
2) Why are smart tag users not complaining about frequent replacement of their easily spoiled devices? Why pay Rm70-80 for one at all? Should this cost be borne by the operator.
3) Toll roads are a mixed bag, some ie NPE are on par with those in Japan, some are just bad. In Australia, do have differing quality ie some stretches of suburbs to Sydney CBD are worse than Federal Highway.
4) Like Fomca said, it just needs some pushing and time to adapt, people will get used to it as they eventually do.
They purposely create a war between RFID and smart tag to occupy the people’s mind so that people would forget about toll abolishment.
Whichever wins, we lose. We still need to pay.
Yes, why bother arguing so much about how to pay when none of us actually wants to do so.
10 years ago = RM120, then towards RM90
Today = another RM35, while the RM120 will rendered useless.
So it make cents (not sense) to use another new system.
Next 10 years = RM??
Next is paying for Government issued number plates but on the overall it makes sense & cents as cost is getting cheaper as you pointed out. But the big question, we voted a Government for no more tolls, and for 22 months what did they do about that?
Please try implement for lorries, buses, etc (commercial vehicle).. let see whether they complaint or not. Imagine lorries reverse in order to get good reception.. so far the trial only for non commercial vehicle.. and the complaints just fallen to the dead ears. If company complaint should be the other way round. I dont see any inprovement of traffic flow on this so so call new “old” technology called RFID. To make it worst.. only PLUS has it and if u travel to the other highway u have to use the same reliable devices called tng/smarttag.. stop implementing rubbish and make it a win2 situation.. lets give consumers choose what to use at toll (procided all tolls has the same device).. this will eliminate vehicle cross lane, etc..
Something must be wrong if we need to stick the rfid sticker on the headlamp somewhat blocking the light. Now many companies are also using rfid to enter gated community and condo. How many rfid can we stick on the headlamp- surely it can also be put on windscreen.
So why gated community and condo RFID sticker takes precedence for headlamp space over toll RFID? Why not complain gated community and condo RFID need stick on headlamp as well?
Way back in 80’s T&G can be automatic reload as you pass the toll. As to reload there is no problem.
Smart Tag is excellent. Why the need to change.
Instead of doing this , why not implement gateless tolls instead.It will sure be faster then any of the current implementation.Why try to implement old technologies when they are already much better alternative
The most convenient system I have come across is the Dartford Crossing in the UK. It uses ANPR to detect every single vehicle using the crossing. The ANPRs (there will be lots of them) are located at the side of the road after the crossing, so there are no toll booths of any sort and you can just zoom along with no bottlenecks. You can then go to the Dartford Crossing website to make payment by keying in your number plate or you can also pay in advance. No sticking of stickers or carry a device or cash top-up of any devices required. Easy peasy. But of course with non-standardised number plates in Malaysia as it is, the ANPRs may not be that efficient here.
That only works if people are responsible enough to actually pay their dues.
You will receive a fine if you don’t pay after a certain period and you will be hauled up to court if you don’t pay your fine. UK is efficient in collecting fines, not like in Malaysia. Anyway, just sharing what other countries are doing. Does not mean it will work in Malaysia.
The present government should send a delegation there to study that system so that we can improve & rectify our system here.
Tng should provide free RFID tag, and remain at least 1 tng card lane just for in case the RFID reader failure. To me I still prefer smarttag rather than current rfid