Touch n Go

  • RFID disruptions continue on Malaysian highways; transport minister to discuss with works minister

    RFID disruptions continue on Malaysian highways; transport minister to discuss with works minister

    One year on from the initial rollout of RFID as a highway toll payment method, disruptions with the system persist as former minister in the prime minister’s department, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan stated his frustration with the use of RFID lanes on Twitter, and had mentioned transport minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook in his tweet in a bid to have the situation rectified.

    Loke replied to the tweet, clarifying that RFID operation at highway toll plazas “is under Lembaga Lebuhraya (the Malaysian Highway Authority)”, and that he will discuss the matter with works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

    While there is response on a ministerial level, RFID users should, in the meantime continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that there are no other factors contributing to any technical issue with its usage.

    Firstly, users need to ensure that the RFID tag is correctly affixed to their vehicle, especially if one applying the tag themselves using the self-fitment kit. This RFID tag need to be positioned at least 5 cm away from metal parts to prevent any possible interference, and applied on the windscreen, this means away from the A-pillar, and if placed on the headlamp, this needs to be in the middle to be distanced from the bodywork.

    If one chooses to affix the RFID tag to the vehicle’s windscreen, be sure to place the tag away from the wipers’ paths, and take note if your window tint film of choice, if applicable, has a high metal content which may cause interference; if this is the case, the headlamp will likely be the preferred site of RFID tag installation on the vehicle.

    Also, users need to ensure that the is sufficient balance in the Touch ‘n Go eWallet for the payment of toll fare. Users also need to be sure to have sufficient balance in their Touch ‘n Go card where RFID is not applicable; in any case, the Malaysian Highway Authority instructed highway concessionaire PLUS to maintain operation of both SmartTAG and Touch ‘n Go lanes at toll booths.

     
     
  • Limited edition United Voice Enhanced NFC TnG Card launched – 10 card designs, 4,000 pieces each, RM25

    Limited edition United Voice Enhanced NFC TnG Card launched – 10 card designs, 4,000 pieces each, RM25

    As part of its long-term collaboration to raise funds for non-governmental organisation United Voice, Touch ‘n Go (TnG) has announced the introduction of a series of limited edition Enhanced TnG cards with NFC featuring selected artwork from an assortment of United Voice artists.

    The company has purchased 10 paintings, one from each artist, and these paintings have been incorporated into the specially-designed Touch ‘n Go cards. The paintings are being displayed at an art exhibition at NU Sentral, which runs until October 5, and the limited edition NFC cards will be sold exclusively at the event.

    According to TnG, 4,000 pieces of each card design will be available, translating to 40,000 pieces in total. Given that the aim is to raise funds for United Voice, the special edition NFC cards are priced higher than the normal NFC cards, going for RM25 each (the regular NFC card costs RM10). Each purchase is limited to two cards per person.

    Limited edition United Voice Enhanced NFC TnG Card launched – 10 card designs, 4,000 pieces each, RM25

    A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the cards will be channelled to United Voice for their daily operations as well as projects to drive new revenue and employment opportunities for their members, such as mobile coffee carts, sewing workshops and entrepreneurship programmes.

    Set up in 2005, United Voice is Malaysia’s first NGO to be run by persons with learning disabilities. It champions self-advocacy to reduce the isolation of people with learning disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cerebral palsy, providing them with the tools, training, platforms and experience to take control of their lives.

    If you’ve been hunting for an Enhanced TnG Card with NFC, here’s your chance to grab one. While it may cost more than the standard card, it’s still cheaper than what scalpers have been charging for regular NFC cards, and you’re also helping a worthy cause.

    You can buy it at the event at NU Sentral until October 5, 2022.

     
     
  • Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card with NFC back on sale via TnG eWallet – can be ordered from 10am, August 25

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card with NFC back on sale via TnG eWallet – can be ordered from 10am, August 25

    Demand for the new Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card has been such that the card, which features near-field communication (NFC) capability, has been somewhat of an elusive find for many. If you’re still on the lookout for one, you’ll be able to make an online purchase for it tomorrow morning via the Touch ‘n Go (TnG) eWallet mobile app.

    As The Star reports, a notification was sent out on the eWallet app earlier today informing users that the NFC-enabled TnG cards will be coming back in stock tomorrow morning (August 25) at 10am in the app.

    However, there’s a catch, as in a cap on how many cards you can buy – according to the report, the company is limiting purchases to one card per user order, which is down from the previous maximum of two cards per order.

    The move is seemingly to address earlier complaints from consumers that scalpers were somehow able to obtain an unspecified number of the enhanced cards during the previous batch releases, and had been reselling them online at several times the original price.

    The new Enhanced version of the Touch ‘n Go card essentially enables the topping up of credit to be done with an NFC-capable smartphone and the eWallet app, thus giving users the option of bypassing physical reload locations such as kiosks and retail outlets. According to TnG, the new card also gains improved encryption for better security.

    As with the previous version of the card, credit balance on the Enhanced version of the card continues to be separate from that of the eWallet, though this too can be linked using the PayDirect function. Non-PayDirect transactions will continue to withdraw from the physical card’s balance.

     
     
  • Touch ‘n Go, Shell Malaysia launch RFID payments at 88 stations nationwide; at 200 stations by year end

    Touch ‘n Go, Shell Malaysia launch RFID payments at 88 stations nationwide; at 200 stations by year end

    Touch ‘n Go and Shell Malaysia have launched RFID payment functionality at 88 Shell stations nationwide, where customers will be able pay for fuel using the cashless method at selected pumps.

    As the name suggests, the cashless payment method for purchasing fuel at participating Shell stations is enabled through an activated RFID tag. This one-time activation and registration is conducted through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet, and once that is successful, users will just need to drive their RFID-equipped vehicle to the RFID bay at the participating Shell station.

    A preferred refuelling amount will need to be selected by the user beforehand, and payment for fuel will be auto-debited from the user’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet account. The RFID-equipped vehicle will be detected within seconds, says Touch ‘n Go, and the fuel pump will be reserved for the user for 80 seconds from that point.

    Once refuelling is completed and the nozzle is returned, any unused amount will be refunded within 10 minutes of refuelling; however, there may be instances where the refund may take up to two business days to complete, the company said in a written response.

    For customers who have been collecting loyalty points with BonusLink, Shell Malaysia has also integrated the points collection functionality into the RFID payment method launched today. The Touch ‘n Go eWallet app will prompt the user for a BonusLink card before refuelling, and one BonusLink card is supported for each RFID tag.

    At this time, Touch ‘n Go’s partnership for RFID implementation for fuel purchase transactions is only with Shell, group CEO of Touch ‘n Go Group Effendy Shahrul Hamid said.

    Each of the 88 Shell stations nationwide currently have two RFID bays per station, and this number may grow to include more pumps per station if uptake of the RFID payment method is encouraging, said Mobility for Shell Malaysia and Singapore general manager Seow Lee Ming.

    “We are fortunate to have found a like-minded partner in Shell, who aligns with our ambition to provide customers with a cashless, contactless driving experience, and is helping us pave the way towards delivering more innovative offerings for both sets of our customers,” the Touch ‘n Go group CEO said.

    The pilot programme for making payment with RFID for fuel purchases was announced in May 2021, and began with five Shell stations in the Klang Valley from July 13 to August 12 last year. In May this year, RFID availability was expanded to 35 Shell stations in the Klang Valley.

    See the full list of Shell stations supporting RFID payments, here.

     
     
  • Touch n Go eWallet now accepted in Singapore taxis

    Touch n Go eWallet now accepted in Singapore taxis

    You can now use Touch n Go eWallet to pay for taxi rides in Singapore, specifically cabs operated by ComfortDelGro. This capability is available through a collaboration with Alipay+, a suite of global cross-border digital payments and marketing solutions operated by the Ant Group.

    “This is the beginning of a further expansion of our payment services to Singapore. ComfortDelGro is the operator of the largest taxi network in Singapore, operating about 9,000 taxis across the city. We view this as an excellent milestone to expand our payments proposition to Singapore and we’re extremely pleased to have been able to bring our users this added convenience and use-case,” said Alan Ni, CEO of TNG Digital.

    “As borders reopen and international travel resumes, I expect our users to enjoy using the eWallet when we have more acceptance points in Singapore, in the exact same seamless way as how they would use the eWallet in Malaysia. We will continue to grow our acceptance network in time to come,” he added.

    TnG says that pre-Covid, over 350,000 people commute daily between Malaysia and Singapore via the Causeway, and with the reopening of borders between the two countries, this collaboration with Alipay+ is timely.

    To kick off, there’s a promo for Touch n Go eWallet users. From now until June 25, users are entitled to an instant discount (RM4 to RM6) when they ride on ComfortDelGro taxis and pay with the app. The discount varies between weeks and is capped at the first 300 transactions daily.

     
     
  • Shell expands Touch ‘n Go RFID Fuelling station list, now supports 35 stations in the Klang Valley

    Shell expands Touch ‘n Go RFID Fuelling station list, now supports 35 stations in the Klang Valley

    Shell has expanded the list of stations that support Touch ‘n Go RFID Fuelling to a total of 35 stations in the Klang Valley, up from the initial five stations.

    The first five stations involved in the testing phase were Shell Bandar Sri Menjalara, Shell Mint Hotel, Shell NKVE Damansara, Shell Taman Connaught and Shell Taman Tun Dr Ismail. The new increased number of stations are welcome, but even with the new expanded list, availability is still limited to the Klang Valley.

    The following are the stations that have RFID Fuelling enabled. When you get to the station, you will have to look for the RFID bays as not all of the pumps have RFID support.


    You’ll of course first need to activate RFID Fuelling, a one-time thing. Setup is straightforward – launch the eWallet, tap on the Shell icon and then the activate fueling button. From there, you’ll be able to select the default fueling amount and even link your BonusLink card to earn loyalty points.

    To refuel, you simply have to locate the specific bays with RFID signage, park your vehicle inside the RFID-enabled bay, locate the LED screen (on top of or on the ground, in front of the bay). Once the reader has detected the vehicle, the system will then reserve the pump, and when the screen shows a green pump icon, you’ll have 80 seconds to begin the fueling process.

     
     
  • Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card: what’s different with new NFC TnG and how to reload with smartphone app?

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card: what’s different with new NFC TnG and how to reload with smartphone app?

    Last Friday, Touch ‘n Go officially launched its Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card in Malaysia, offering it for sale on its TnG eWallet app and selected retailers. It was clear the new product would be popular from the get-go – having been quietly available at TnG’s own outlet in Nu Sentral the previous week, it was immediately scalped at nearly double the price.

    So it proved – the card was sold out on the app within three hours of the announcement. It was quickly back on sale, however, and we managed to score our own in relatively short order. Given that TnG cards are primarily used for toll payments, we thought it would be a good idea to put the new technology through its paces and see how easy (or otherwise) it is to use.

    What’s different about it, and how much does it cost?

    The headlining feature of the Enhanced card is the built-in near-field communication (NFC) technology, enabling the much-vaunted smartphone reloads and cutting out the physical counter (and any associated reload charges, as NFC reloads are free) entirely. No, you still can’t top-up the card remotely and the card balance is still separate from your eWallet, just so you know.

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card: what’s different with new NFC TnG and how to reload with smartphone app?

    What the new card does allow you to do is reload the card using the eWallet, simply by holding it to the back of your phone. To do so, you’ll need an Android smartphone or an iPhone equipped with an NFC chip, which is most of them these days (including the iPhone 7 and newer). Touch ‘n Go also says the new card has better encryption, enhancing the security of your balance.

    The Enhanced card is priced the same as its predecessor at RM10 (some LRT and MRT stations are selling the old cards at RM15, inclusive of RM10 preloaded), with orders through the eWallet app tacking on a RM5 shipping fee. It’s sold out on the app as of today, and the cards are still being scalped online – The Star is reporting prices as high as RM90 on an e-commerce platform (i.e. either Lazada or Shopee), which is ridiculous to say the least. Just wait for new stock to arrive, OK?

    You can tell the Enhanced card apart from older versions through the pleasing minimalist blue-and-pink gradient on the front and back, although new designs will probably be offered in the future as part of marketing tie-ins, as was the case with the previous cards.

    There’s also a wave icon indicating the NFC functionality, along with the TnG and eWallet logos, all of which are imprinted in chrome. On the reverse side is a QR code for the eWallet app, the serial number and the expiry date (seven-year validity for Enhanced). No terms and conditions here, just a simple “terms apply.”

    How does the reload function work?

    To use the Enhanced card as it’s intended, you’ll first need to update the eWallet app. Once you do that, you’ll notice a new TNG Card shortcut on the main page – previously, you needed to tap on the Toll icon to get to it. The first time you access the menu, you’ll get an introduction of the new card and a prompt to add your card to the app using NFC (you can still do it the old-fashioned way by inputting the serial number).

    You’ll then be asked to get your Enhanced card ready, after which your phone will prompt you to place the card on the back for five seconds. Once the card is read, the serial number is automatically inserted in the dialogue box; you will then have to input the six-digit PIN number registered with the eWallet before the card is added to your catalogue. With the latest app, you can now link up to five TnG cards (including Enhanced ones), up from a limit of just three previously.

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card: what’s different with new NFC TnG and how to reload with smartphone app?

    Reloading the card is relatively straightforward. In the TnG Cards menu, you’ll only need to tap the Reload button on the specific card, after which you’ll again be asked to hold the card to the back of your phone to verify it. Select the desired value and you’ll be prompted to tap your card yet again; for first-time reloads (there’s no preloaded value, by the way), you’ll also need to provide your PIN number. That’s it.

    Couple of things to mention – firstly, the location of your phone’s NFC chip differs depending on the model, so you can’t just place the card willy-nilly on the back and expect it to be detected. On an iPhone (like the 12 Pro shown here), you’ll need to tap the card on the top edge, next to the camera bump.

    The process is also a little finicky – more than once did the phone report an error while reading the card, which for reloads means you’ll have to start the whole process over again. It seems you can’t rush the tapping of the card; keep it away from the phone before you’re prompted to and the errors will decrease. Once you get the hang of it, you can breeze through reloads in no time.

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card: what’s different with new NFC TnG and how to reload with smartphone app?

    Anything else I need to keep in mind?

    As mentioned earlier, the value in the Enhanced card remains separate from the eWallet – you can’t just pay for things with the card via your eWallet balance (unless you’re using the PayDirect function). Reloads automatically deduct from your eWallet; there’s no option to top-up directly using a credit or debit card. If you have an insufficient eWallet balance, you’ll first be asked to reload the eWallet.

    Unlike older cards, the Enhanced version has no dormancy period, meaning you can use the card as sparingly (or often) as you want over the next seven years. Previously, you had to use the card at least once a year to keep it active, although this only applied to cards not linked to the eWallet app.

    Want to transfer any balance from your old cards? You’ll have to make a refund request via Touch ‘n Go’s eRefund service, which will credit the remaining value to either your bank account or your eWallet (refunds from a dormant card require a RM5 fee). Once the money is in your eWallet, you can use it to reload the Enhanced card, as usual. Bear in mind that the old card will be deactivated in the process.

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card: what’s different with new NFC TnG and how to reload with smartphone app?

    Outside of the NFC reloads, the Enhanced card functions just like any other TnG card and can be used for tolls, parking, bus and train fares and some retail purchases. PayDirect also allows you to use your eWallet balance for payments, although it is only supported at certain toll plazas and a handful of mall parking lots.

    Infuriatingly, the North-South Highway still doesn’t support PayDirect, despite RFID lanes having now been added at its toll plazas. At least the Enhanced card means you don’t have to park your car and walk to the reload counter, helping to eliminate congestion at tolls. As before, using your card at a PayDirect-supported toll or parking lot deducts from your eWallet first, unless there is insufficient balance.

    So there you have it, the new Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card that allows you to say goodbye to physical reload counters. What do you think of the new NFC functionality and do you think it will make a difference in how you use your card? Sound off in the comments after the jump.

     
     
  • New Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card with NFC reload feature a hot seller – all sold out within 3 hours!

    New Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card with NFC reload feature a hot seller – all sold out within 3 hours!

    The new Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card is proving to be the latest hot ticket in town, as demand has seen the new card with the added near-field communication (NFC) capability become sold out within just three hours from its launch today.

    Some Touch ‘n Go eWallet users – including a few on the paultan.org team – have experienced their orders disappearing from the eWallet app’s order queue, though these missing orders have since returned. Although the NFC-capable Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card has sold out on the eWallet mobile app, the new cards may still be available to purchase at physical retail stores.

    The new Enhanced version of the Touch ‘n Go card essentially enables the topping up of credit to be done with an NFC-capable smartphone and the eWallet app, thus giving users the option of bypassing physical reload locations such as kiosks and retail outlets. According to Touch ‘n Go, the new card also gains improved encryption for better security.

    As with the previous version of the card, credit balance on the Enhanced version of the card continues to be separate from that of the eWallet, though this too can be linked using the PayDirect function. Non-PayDirect transactions will continue to withdraw from the physical card’s balance.

     
     
  • Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card now on sale – NFC TNG card priced at RM10, plus RM5 postage via eWallet app

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card now on sale – NFC TNG card priced at RM10, plus RM5 postage via eWallet app

    Touch ‘n Go has officially launched its new Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card, which can now be purchased either at selected retail locations nationwide or via the TNG eWallet app. The card, which comes in a minimalist pink and blue gradient design, was initially offered for sale at the company’s official outlet last week and was even scalped at nearly double the price compared to retail.

    Utilising near-field communication (NFC) for mobile reloads, the Enhanced card is priced at the same RM10 as the original Touch ‘n Go cards, although LRT and MRT stations have recently started selling the old cards for RM5 plus a RM10 top-up. Ordering via the eWallet app incurs a RM5 shipping fee and a two-card limit for each purchase; while you can make multiple purchases, each one will come with its own shipping fee. There’s no limit on physical over-the-counter purchases.

    UPDATE: Some users (including a few in our team) have experienced orders disappearing on the eWallet app, despite payments going through. Touch ‘n Go says it’s aware of this issue and is currently working on rectifying it.

    The Enhanced version essentially enables top-ups to be made via an NFC-enabled smartphone – which is offered on most smartphones today, including iPhones – and the eWallet app, bypassing physical reload locations. The new card also comes with improved encryption for better safety, the company says.

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card now on sale – NFC TNG card priced at RM10, plus RM5 postage via eWallet app

    Each new card needs to be linked to the app by holding the card to the back of your phone for five seconds, after which you may use the app to check their balance or perform reloads, again by holding your card to your phone. As Touch ‘n Go points out, you are still limited to a maximum of five TNG cards that can be linked to your app, including Enhanced versions.

    As with the old cards, the credit balance on the Enhanced variant is still separate from the eWallet (not combined), although it too can be linked to the eWallet using the PayDirect function. Non-PayDirect transactions will still deduct money from the card’s balance.

    “We’re so pleased to be able to bring this to market, addressing the most common pain point for users of our cards – reload inconvenience. With this enhanced card offering, our users can now choose to obtain a card that they can reload anytime or anywhere from their Touch ‘n Go eWallet app on their mobile phones. There will also be no reload surcharges levied for the use of this service,” said group CEO Effendy Shahul Hamid.

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card now on sale – NFC TNG card priced at RM10, plus RM5 postage via eWallet app

    Although physical reloads have been made largely obsolete for road users thanks to the PayDirect function, the new Enhanced card will still be useful on the North-South Highway (which, strangely enough, does not support PayDirect) and at a vast majority of parking lots (only a handful of malls currently utilise PayDirect for parking payments).

    Hopefully, this means there will be fewer instances of cars being parked up at tolls because drivers need to walk out to the reload counter. Of course, public transport users will also benefit from the Enhanced card, as buses and trains still deduct from the card’s balance.

    There’s just one problem – supply of these upgraded cards is limited due to the global chip shortage and TNG expects demand to be high, so stocks may run out quickly. If that happens, you can register your interest on the eWallet app to receive a notification when the card is once again available for purchase.

    UPDATE 2: The Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card is out of stock on the eWallet app as of 2:20 pm, having been sold out within three hours of launch. It’s unclear if there are still any left at physical retail locations.

     
     
  • Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card – new RM10 card allows phone NFC reloads; balance still separate from eWallet

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card – new RM10 card allows phone NFC reloads; balance still separate from eWallet

    It appears that Touch ‘n Go is one step closer to offering users the ability to reload their physical cards from the Touch ‘n Go eWallet soon.

    From screen-captured images of official Touch ‘n Go videos that have since been taken down, the new NFC (near field communication)-enabled card will be launched very soon, and the new product will be identifiable by an NFC icon at its upper right-hand-side corner. This means users will need to purchase a new card in order to make use of the new function.

    Availability of the Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card will be directly from the eWallet mobile app at RM10, such as with the purchase of an RFID tag, and according to a screen-captured image of the order page, the price of the Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card excludes shipping fees.

    Once the physical Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card has been received, the user will need to link the card to the eWallet, which allows the viewing of the card’s balance, as with the existing card, and additionally perform reloads. To do so, the new card will have to be held to the back on one’s NFC-compatible smartphone for five seconds. The now-hidden video also showed that the function will work on both iOS and Android devices.

    Enhanced Touch ‘n Go Card – new RM10 card allows phone NFC reloads; balance still separate from eWallet

    The Touch ‘n Go eWallet app shown with the added NFC functionality for the new Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card (above; click to enlarge). At present, the only link between the physical card and the eWallet app is the PayDirect function (below)

    The new card’s available balance will still be separate from the eWallet balance. When the new Enhanced Touch ‘n Go card is rolled out, it will offer users the ability to reload their physical cards without having to use a kiosk or service counter. This will be an added convenience as the physical TnG card is still used for parking and public transport, even if PayDirect can be used for highway toll charges.

    In January, then-CEO of TNG Digital Ignatius Ong (who has stepped down from the position effective March 31, according to Advertising + Marketing Malaysia) revealed that the new version of the card said that users will be able to top up its balance via an NFC-enabled port through the eWallet mobile app, compared to the existing card that required visiting a dedicated kiosk or service counter offering reload services.

    The idea was first brought to light by Touch ‘n Go in January 2021, and the updated card with the eWallet reloading capability was initially slated for roll-out by the end of last year.

    At present, the only link between the physical, current Touch ‘n Go card and the eWallet app is the PayDirect function, where toll charges are first deducted from the eWallet balance instead of the balance on the linked Touch ‘n Go card. When the eWallet balance has been depleted, only then will the toll charges be deducted from the physical card, which can be prevented by enabling the auto-reload feature on the eWallet.

     
     
  • Touch ‘n Go GOpinjam launched in Malaysia – digital personal loans through eWallet app; backed by CIMB

    Touch ‘n Go GOpinjam launched in Malaysia – digital personal loans through eWallet app; backed by CIMB

    Touch ‘n Go Group today launched GOpinjam, a digital personal loan service accessible through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app. The new service is the first time a digital lending solution is being offered by TnG eWallet, having previously introduced financial service propositions in investments (GO+) and insurance.

    Developed in partnership with CIMB Bank Berhad, GOpinjam is supported by CIMB’s e-Zi Tunai Personal Loan, offering personal loans from as low as RM100 to a maximum of RM10,000, to users aged 21 to 63 years old.

    The repayment period for these loans can range from one week to one year, with no hidden fees or early settlement charges. Fixed interest rates do apply, and they vary from 8% to 36% per annum, depending on the loan tenure.

    Touch ‘n Go GOpinjam launched in Malaysia – digital personal loans through eWallet app; backed by CIMB

    It should be noted that potential borrowers will require a minimum monthly income of RM800 to gain access to GOpinjam. First-time users who wish to apply will need to submit either a one-month payslip or latest EPF statement along with some basic information for the loan application.

    As for returning users, the process is simpler, requiring only verification of the application info (taken from the previous application). Once an application is approved, users will be notified through the TnG eWallet app and the funds will be disbursed either into their e-wallet or CIMB bank account.

    The entire process is done digitally through the app, so there’s no need to visit a bank counter. Users can also apply for more than one loan under GOpinjam, so long as each loan amount does not exceed the cap of RM10,000.

    “This is a true market first. We researched the landscape thoroughly before building GOpinjam and I feel we’ve come up with a proposition that delivers significant value to our users, at the same time address the pain points of current personal lending propositions,” said Effendy Shahul Hamid, CEO of Touch ‘n Go Group.

    “The financial inclusion element was always at the forefront of our thinking, and we expect GOpinjam to be available to those who otherwise would not have been able to access formal credit facilities,” he added.

     
     
  • Touch ‘n Go eWallet collaborates with Dotlines in digital solutions for migrant community in Malaysia

    Touch ‘n Go eWallet collaborates with Dotlines in digital solutions for migrant community in Malaysia

    Touch ‘n Go eWallet is collaborating with Singapore-based Dotlines, a consumer and business technology solutions provider for extending the reach of cashless transactions to the migrant community in Malaysia.

    One of the several mobile applications developed by Dotlines is the Sohoj app, which has been fully developed in Dotlines’ second development centre in Malaysia, according to the firm.

    Sohoj was launched in 2016, and the app enables members of the migrant community to stay connected, transfer credit top-ups, purchase goods and services for themselves as well as for family members in their home country, and to conduct secure transactions via the wide spread of retail partners.

    A retail and agent network comprised of 12,000 touchpoints has been built over the past five years, and the collaboration between Touch ‘n Go eWallet and Dotlines helps to bring the migrant community into formal financial inclusion through assisted account activation, near-to-home top-up, and more.

    Touch ‘n Go eWallet collaborates with Dotlines in digital solutions for migrant community in Malaysia

    “We will introduce more and more curated services to our migrant friends in the coming months. At the same time, we have also ensured that our network of retail and reload merchants for Touch ‘n Go eWallet includes those that serve the migrant segment, said TNG Digital chief commercial officer Danny Chua.

    The surge in demand for cashless and contactless payments have been driven by pandemic conditions in recent years, and with the growing number of merchants moving towards cashless modes of payment, the merchant migrants’ acquirer programme is a priority for Touch ‘n Go eWallet and Dotlines, the company said. There are also more SME merchants, particularly those serving the migrant segment, coming forth to sign up as merchants on Touch ‘n Go eWallet, it added.

    Sohoj has helped “millions of blue-collar” individuals from Bangladesh, Nepal and Indonesia enjoy a better digital life and continue to be connected to their home countries, said Dotlines chief commercial officer and head of SEA Tareq Udden.

     
     
  • Gov’t urges Touch ‘n Go to reduce RFID sticker price

    Gov’t urges Touch ‘n Go to reduce RFID sticker price

    The topic of radio frequency identification (RFID) for toll payments has recently become a thorny one for many Malaysians with the troubled rollout of the system on the entire North-South Highway earlier this year. Now, the government has urged Touch ‘n Go to reduce the price of the RFID self-fitment kit, which currently retails at RM35 a piece.

    According to The Star, the request was made known by works minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof in parliament yesterday. “The sovernment has requested that Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd review the costs [of the RFID stickers] for the purpose of reducing the selling price.

    “Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd is the service provider for the toll collection system on all highways in Malaysia, and appointments of RFID tag contractors or suppliers are managed entirely by the company,” he said in a Q&A session.

    Gov’t urges Touch ‘n Go to reduce RFID sticker price

    Fadillah has previously said that the government demanded a justification from Touch ‘n Go and PLUS on the cost of the kits. This followed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s viral Facebook post that said the passive tags cost less than RM1 to make. It appears that the authorities were either not satisfied with the explanation or weren’t given one at all.

    Separately at the same session, Fadillah confirmed that the East Coast Highway Phase 1 (LPT) and 2 (LPT2) will also adopt the RFID system starting from the end of June, adding to the list of 28 highways already using it. This was in response to Sabak Bernam MP Datuk Fasiah Mohd Fakeh, who asked if Touch ‘n Go cards and SmartTAGs will still be able to be used on PLUS highways and LPT2.

     
     
  • Drivers with insufficient Touch ‘n Go eWallet balance the reason for viral RFID lane congestion – PLUS

    Drivers with insufficient Touch ‘n Go eWallet balance the reason for viral RFID lane congestion – PLUS

    On Monday (February 21, 2022), a photo of long queues at two RFID lanes at the Jalan Duta toll plaza went viral on social media, prompting PLUS Malaysia to conduct an investigation on the matter.

    According to a press release issued by the highway concessionaire yesterday, it was determined that during the peak hours between 8am to 8.59am, there were a number of cases of drivers with insufficient balance attempting to reload their Touch n’ Go eWallet at the boom gates, resulting in the congestion.

    The company has since apologised for any inconvenience caused and said it will help guide customers to park their vehicles at a safe location away from traffic in front of the RFID lane so they can reload their TnG eWallet.

    PLUS also reminded highway users to always check that they have sufficient balance in their TnG eWallet or TnG card for a smooth journey. Following the government’s intervention, there are three payment options available: RFID, TnG card and SmartTAG.

    Drivers with insufficient Touch ‘n Go eWallet balance the reason for viral RFID lane congestion – PLUS

    For those who are using RFID for toll payment, you can activate the auto-reload function in the TnG eWallet app. This automatically tops up your balance with a pre-determined amount once it hits a certain threshold, and you can watch a tutorial on how to do so here.

    It’s also important that the RFID tag be installed properly, especially if you’re doing it yourself using a self-fitment kit. An RFID tag needs to be situated at least 5 cm away from metal parts to prevent any possible interference, which, on the windscreen, means away from the A-pillar, and if located on the headlamp, in the middle to have some distance from the bodywork.

    Should you choose the windscreen as the spot to place the RFID tag, take note of the path of your car’s wipers and if your car’s tint has a high metal content. The headlamp is preferred for a majority of applications should the latter be the case.

     
     
  • Use of Touch ‘n Go for toll payments to end by 2025, SmartTAG to also be phased out – works ministry

    Use of Touch ‘n Go for toll payments to end by 2025, SmartTAG to also be phased out – works ministry

    Yet more on the ongoing topic surrounding electronic toll collection, with the government now saying that it is planning to end the use of Touch ‘n Go (TnG) cards – and the phasing out of SmartTAG – for toll payment by 2025. At that point, the current system of toll collection will be replaced by a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) system, and users will be allowed to pay for toll using their choice of digital payment, Free Malaysia Today reports.

    The new timeframe is an extension from that mentioned previously, when it was said that the government was looking to stop the use of TNG and SmartTAG by the end of 2023. The FMT report added that it is estimated that there are more than 20 million TnG cards in circulation currently, with nearly 91% of all card transactions being for toll payments on the 31 highways across the country.

    In an interview with the news portal, works minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that highway concessionaires have been told to prepare for the implementation of the MLFF by 2025. The MLFF is a barrier-free tolling system utilising a gantry structure without designated booths or lanes. Toll payment will be collected via RFID, working together with an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system.

    Use of Touch ‘n Go for toll payments to end by 2025, SmartTAG to also be phased out – works ministry

    He said that users will have the freedom to choose how they want to make their toll payment digitally. “Soon, it will be up to the public to use any digital mode of payment, whether you want to use Touch ‘n Go e-wallet or debit or credit card or Visa or Mastercard or any kind of (electronic) payment system, as long as there’s a link available on a (particular) highway,” he told FMT.

    Fadillah said the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) was trying to make it more convenient for motorists to make their toll 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 explained.

    Asked about the readiness of highway concessionaires to implement MLFF, he said that if there were delays by some concessionaires, the government would consider a private investment model or private finance initiatives to take over the MLFF system.

    Use of Touch ‘n Go for toll payments to end by 2025, SmartTAG to also be phased out – works ministry

    “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 a single authority control [over their systems],” he said.

    On the topic of ANPR, he said the system was being trialled in a pilot project at the Kajang-Seremban Highway (LEKAS). “We are also looking at a proposal for a public-private partnership or PFI, subject to further discussion with the Lekas concessionaire and another pilot project at Besraya Highway soon,” he added. ANPR is also being utilised by PLUS on its RFID lanes.

     
     
 
 
 

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Last Updated Sep 28, 2023