Malaysia to Implement Open Payment System for Public Transportation
The Ministry of Transportation in Malaysia has directed all public transport operators to implement an open payment system, allowing passengers to pay for their rides using credit and debit cards. Read on to find out more.
Malaysia: Use Open Payment System for Public Transportation
Malaysia’s Ministry of Transportation has issued a new directive requiring all public transportation operators to implement an open payment system for credit and debit cards. The move aims to provide greater convenience to the public and to expand the range of cashless payment options. With this new directive, major transportation operators like Prasarana and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will be expanding their cashless payment options for their bus and rail services.
This is a significant development for public transportation in Malaysia as it signals a move towards greater accessibility and convenience for the public. The new directive means that Touch ‘n Go (TnG) will no longer have a monopoly hold on the cashless payment method for public transportation. This could mean that other payment providers like Maybank, CIMB, and Visa, will soon be offering their own payment options for public transportation.
Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has stated that the integration process for the system will take several months to be completed. This means that the public may have to wait a little longer before they can start paying for their rides with credit and debit cards. However, the move is a step in the right direction and is expected to boost the country’s digital economy.
It is important to note that the new directive does not mean the end of TnG’s existence within the public transportation system. The company will continue to offer its services and will become one of several cashless payment options instead of being the sole choice as of now.
In the past, Rapid KL and PayNet had installed MyDebit card readers at LRT stations almost three years ago but had not put them to proper use. With the new directive, these dormant card readers will finally be utilized, providing greater convenience to the public.
Recently, there has been a push towards cashless payments in Malaysia. Last year, Express Rail Link (ERL) introduced cashless payment options for its KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit services. This allowed passengers to tap their credit or debit cards directly on the turnstile, providing a seamless and convenient experience.
Pokdepinion: The move towards an open payment system for public transportation is a positive development for Malaysia’s digital economy. The public can look forward to greater convenience and accessibility in the near future as transportation operators expand their cashless payment options.
