RFID Archives

RFID tag can now be used on PLUS highways in Kedah and Penang

If you are driving on PLUS highways in Kedah and Penang and your vehicle has a RFID tag, you can now enjoy faster passage through the toll plazas. From today (Wednesday, July 22). All 9 closed toll plazas from Hutan Kampung all the way to Sungai Dua will open their dedicated toll plaza lanes.

The RFID lanes, which can only be used by privately-registered vehicles, have been available at other toll plazas (open toll system) since the beginning of this year. Those have been at Jitra, Lunas, Kubang Semang, Penang Bridge, Mambau, Lukut, Kempas, Perling, Lima Kedai and Tanjung Kupang.

However, plans by PLUS to roll out across its plazas with 84 closed toll systems (payment based on distance travelled) from April 1 2020 had to be deferred due to COVID-19 pandemic which subjected the country to the Movement Control Order (MCO). Since the implementation of the Recovery MCO, PLUS has resumed its program of RFID implementation.

“Our Northern highway customers can enjoy the convenient, swift and safe RFID experience. Aligned to the Government’s directive to move towards Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll highway, the introduction of RFID on closed toll system is a next step to make this goal a reality. The RFID technology allows for faster throughput thus reducing congestion at the toll lanes, which is the primary objective for PLUS adopting it,” said Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.

“Coincidently, its cashless and contactless transaction not only reduces human interaction at the lanes, but also eliminates the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Linked to an e-wallet as the source of funds, the RFID will reduce cases of insufficient card balances that cause hold up at lane. The ability to top up the e-wallet online helps replenish e-wallet balances regularly and negates the human interactions at toll plaza (for insufficient card balances) that increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” he explained.

Datuk Azman Ismail said PLUS anticipates a positive uptake of RFID tags from Penangites, while highway users in Kedah will want to start using the complementary electronic payment system to the SmartTag.

Touch’nGo Sdn Bhd is giving away 1,500 free RFID tags in a limited time only promotion, and PLUS currently offers complimentary RFID tags on a first come-first served basis (and while stocks last) at selected Fitment Centres in Penang and Kedah only. This is in conjunction with the #JomRFID campaign, especially during the Hutan Kampung-Sungai Dua the public pilot program kick-off.

RFID DIY — Besides going to the Fitment Centres, motorists can also purchase the RFID tag online and attach it to the headlight or windscreen themselves. The price is the same as at the Fitment Centre but you probably have to pay a delivery charge.

To redeem these complimentary RFID tags, customers are required to register as a PLUSMiles member at jomrfid.plusmiles.com.my. They will then receive a voucher code for redemption. After the full redemption of 1,500 complimentary RFID tags, 15,000 users will be able to receive 500 PLUSMiles reward points when purchasing an RFID tag at RM35 each at the selected Fitment Centres.

PLUS customers now have PUTRI to help them with their enquiries

20% discount on toll at Penang Bridge – but only for those with RFID tag

Though affected by the MCO having suspended business activities for a long period, the private sector (with assistance from the government) is trying to also help the rakyat in these difficult times. Household incomes have diminished with some family members losing jobs or having pay cuts or for those who have their own small businesses, the daily income is down.

PLUS Malaysia is also doing its part by offering motorists using the Penang Bridge a discount of 20% on toll charges. Only applicable to private vehicles, the discount will be only for those who have the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag on their vehicles.

From mid-July 2020
The discount will be available from the middle of July 2020 and is only for those studying or working in Penang. We understand that in order to qualify for the discount, the motorist must have a letter to show he or she is studying at an institution of higher learning or from the employer with an address on the island.

At least 20% of vehicles crossing the Penang Bridge are expected to benefit from the lower rate which will be RM4.59 instead of the current RM5.74. The duration of the discount has not been mentioned.

PLUS has been encouraging the use of the RFID tag which will promote faster and more efficient passage through toll plazas. Motorists can reload the stored value in their accounts using online applications, reducing the need to be in close contact with personnel at the toll plazas. This will reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

RFID tag available online
Previously, motorists had to go to fitment centres to get the RFID tag installed but Touch’nGo is now offering it online at RM35. The tag can be easily stuck on the headlight or at the upper section of the windscreen and then activated online.

RFID implementation on PLUS Closed System highways postponed

The completion date of the introduction of RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) system for paying charges electronically at all remaining PLUS toll plazas has been postponed. Following implementation on its Open System highways in January, the concessionaire had been carrying out testing and progressive work with the aim of having the remaining 83 PLUS and 10 LPT2 (East Coast) Closed System toll plazas equipped with RFID facilities by April 1, 2020.

Open System toll plazas are for highways where a fixed rate is paid whereas the Closed System charges by the distance travelled, eg along the North-South Expressway.

Due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) being in force since March 18 and to run until March 31, 2020, the work has been suspended. “At PLUS, we believe the MCO is an important move to protect the health, safety and well-being of not just our employees but all Malaysians from the threat of COVID-19. Based on this principle, we have decided to defer the launch of the RFID payment system on PLUS and LPT2 highways to a new date upon the lifting of the MCO,” said PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Azman Ismail.

PLUS also takes this opportunity to urge the public to adhere to the MCO and to remain at home in order to help flatten the spread of COVID-19 and more crucially, to protect one’s health and family’s wellbeing.

Motorists using PLUS highways should also be aware that the reload facilities at all its Toll Plaza Customer Service Centres and Reload lanes at both Open and Close Toll Highway are closed during the MCO period. Reloads of the Touch’nGo cards can be done at Self-Service Kiosks available at 67 locations at selected R&R areas as well as various ATMs, petrol stations and convenience stores.

“We strongly advise all motorists to plan their journeys by reloading their Touch‘nGo card at reloading centres nationwide, as well as other reload facilities available,” PLUS said, adding that motorists are also advised to keep a 1-metre distance apart when queuing, not just at the reload machines but also in any public place.

Meanwhile the highway concessionaire has also clarified that none of its toll plazas and highways are closed. However, with the MCO in effect, the police may be filtering vehicles to ensure their occupants are authorised to travel. PLUS advises the public to contact the PDRM Hotline at 03-2266 3356 for latest updates on road diversions and inspection throughout this period.

Shops at many PLUS R&R/lay-bys to remain closed till March 31

Touch ‘n Go to stop giving RFID tag for free after February 14 2020

The RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) initiative for electronic toll payment started off as a pilot programme 18 months ago. During the period, to encourage motorists to adopt the RFID tag, Touch ‘n Go (the company managing the system), offered it for free.

One million motorists have taken up the offer, having the tiny tag with an embedded chip installed on their vehicle’s windscreen or headlamp. According to the company, the tags have been used for 55 million toll payment transactions and the failure rate (for a transaction) has been just 1%.

Concessionaires managing 22 highways allocated lanes for Class 1 vehicles at their toll plazas which allow the RFID system to be used, providing quick passage through without having to stop. These include 10 toll plazas on PLUS-managed highways (since January 1, 2020) with toll payments using the RFID tag at the remaining 83 PLUS toll plazas being accepted from April 1, 2020.

Price inclusive of one replacement
The pilot programme will end on February 14, 2020 and thereafter, those who want to install the RFID tags will have to pay RM35 for each tag. This payment covers a free replacement on the same vehicle when users need to get a new RFID tag (on a one-time basis).

The company has also announced plans to expand the usage of the RFID tag to pay for other services (eg parking and refueling), as well as enable linking with bank accounts and credit/debit cards so that users can reload and pay more easily. The system currently works with the TnG eWallet which is a requirement to use the RFID tag.

PLUS to accept TnG RFID system on its highways, also addressing reload issues

10 PLUS toll plazas ready to accept payments via Touch ‘n Go’s RFID tag from Wednesday

PLUS is ready to accept toll payments using Touch ‘n Go’s RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system from this Wednesday, January 1, 2020. However, the electronic transaction will only be available at its toll plazas which have an Open System. These are for highways where a fixed rate is paid instead of the Closed System which charges by the distance travelled.

Only Class 1 privately-registered vehicles (light vehicles with 2 axles and 3 or 4 wheels except taxis) will be able to use their RFID tag at these toll plazas on PLUS-operated highways:

Jitra (North-South Expressway)
Lunas (Butterworth-Kulim Expressway)
Kubang Semang (Butterworth-Kulim Expressway)
Penang Bridge
Mambau (Seremban-Port Dickson Highway)
Lukut (Seremban-Port Dickson Highway)
Kempas (North-South Expressway)
Perling (Linkedua highway)
Lima Kedai (Linkedua highway)
Tanjung Kupang (Linkedua highway)

*Toll payment by RFID tags can also be made at the Penang Bridge from Wednesday.*

“The Touch ‘n Go RFID system, which uses an RFID-fitted sticker connected to the Touch ‘n Go eWallet, is the latest payment option that is currently being offered. It enables highway customers to perform online top-ups, eliminating the need to top-up at the designated reload centres,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

Existing payment options still available
He added that more payment options are being developed via debit and credit cards as well as other eWallets. “Soon highway customers will have the option to switch to more payment modes when these features become available in the very near future,” said Encik Zakaria while giving assurance that the existing toll payment modes via Touch ‘n Go card or SmartTAG are still available on PLUS highways.

Toll transactions using the RFID tag can be done at the remaining 83 toll plazas with the Closed System from April 1, 2020.

He also clarified that the current RFID system at the Sultan Iskandar Building Toll Plaza (JB Causeway) can only be used for Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) payments for Singapore-registered vehicles.

Whichever payment mode is used, highway travellers are reminded to ensure that the balance in their TnG tollcard or eWallet is sufficient to cover the toll charges. Besides the PLUS website, Waze also now provides information on the amount of toll that will be incurred on a chosen or recommended route.

Malaysian motorists can now find out toll charges on Waze

62 highways (including Penang Bridges and 2nd Link) to accept RFID payments from January 1, 2020

If you have a RFID tag on your vehicle, you’ll be pleased to know that from January 1, 2020, all 62 open-system toll plazas will have lanes to allow you to motor through without stopping. The move has become possible possibly because PLUS agreed to adopt the RFID system by Touch ’n Go to support the future introduction of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system. With this system, toll booths won’t be needed any longer although it might not be like the Singapore ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) system where only gantries are installed over the roads.

The open-system tolled highway is the one where you pay a fixed amount as you pass through the toll plaza. It differs from the closed-system which charges toll according to the distance travelled along the highway. You pay only when you pass through the second toll plaza leaving the highway.

In the case of PLUS highways, the RFID services will be available at 10 toll plazas (eg the two Penang Bridges and the Second Link in Johor)) from January 1, 2020. The concessionaire says that the remaining 83 toll plazas with the closed system will accept RFID payments from April 1, 2020.

According to the Malaysian Highway Authority (Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia), the RFID electronic payment system will co-exist with the existing Touch ‘n Go and SmartTAG systems. So you don’t have to rush to install the RFID tag (if you have not done so), at least not just yet.

The introduction of the RFID system is aimed at making traffic flow smoother through toll plazas. The system is linked to the app-based Touch ’n Go eWallet which enables easy topping-up whenever needed. RFID transactions are in real-time and highway users will receive immediate notification of their balance.

To date, over 830,000 vehicles have been fitted with the RFID tag. Touch ’n Go has appointed 18 fitment centres around the country and also has a fleet of 112 mobile fitment centres.

PLUS to accept TnG RFID system on its highways, also addressing reload issues

PLUS to accept TnG RFID system on its highways, also addressing reload issues

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad and PLUS Malaysia Berhad have announced that they have recently come to an agreement to provide additional payment options to users of PLUS expressways across the country. These enhanced toll payment services will be facilitated by Touch n’ Go Sdn Bhd (52% owned by CIMB) through the TnG RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

Apparently, this agreement resolves the dispute a year ago when PLUS began to introduce its own RFID tag for electronic toll payments. CIMB took legal action to stop PLUS from having its own toll collection system.

Starting with PLUS expressways, the recent agreement promises a seamless experience with more options for toll payment anchored on the concept of Open Payments and will give highway users the choice to link their TnG RFID tags to any of their bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards or the TnG e-wallet.

TnG RFID services will be available in 10 open system toll plazas at PLUS expressways by January 1, 2020, extending to for all 83 closed system toll plazas on PLUS expressways by April 1, 2020. RFID transactions will be real-time and highway users will receive immediate notification of their balance.

Open system toll plazas are defined as a system where the toll fare is a fixed rate based on vehicle class. Closed system highways charge according to the vehicle class and distance travelled, with the toll to be paid when the vehicle exits the highway.

TnG RFID services have been available in pilot-mode at selected expressways nationwide since the beginning of 2019. Currently, there are over 700,000 RFID tags installed on and these tags are currently linked to the TnG e-wallet as a source of funds. The TnG RFID initiative is the first step of a masterplan aimed at reducing congestion on Malaysian expressways.

The scheme is being coordinated and devised in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Works and Malaysian Highway Authority and there will be absolutely no disruption to the current card, SmartTAG or PayDirect services.

It is the intent of CIMB and TnG to roll-out the Open Payments facility to all toll highway concessionaires across Malaysia in the future. Over time, this RFID-driven payment mode is expected to replace the TnG card that has been the defacto mode of payment for toll transactions across the country.

“It has been a key belief at PLUS that giving our customers more options to pay is an important aspect in enhancing their road journeys, so this is a key consideration when working with our partners. We are pleased that Open Payment options will soon be available to toll highway customers, in line with the needs of our customers who look forward to more convenience,” said Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.

“We are delighted that CIMB is aligned on this ambition to partner with us to lead in making it a seamless journey on our highways with the democratisation of toll payments where over time, other mode of payment can be considered, thus ensuring the toll industry is always relevant with market practices,” he added.

On the issue of reloading booths no longer being available at toll plazas, Datuk Azman said PLUS is aware of the unhappiness from some highway users and is working to resolve the issues but needs some time to do so. In the meantime, he urged motorists, for safety reasons, not to get out of their vehicles if they are unable to pass through because their TnG card has insufficient balance. “Press the intercom button and a PLUS customer service officer will come to assist you,” he advised.

(more…)

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RFID

RFID tag can now be used on PLUS highways in Kedah and Penang

20% discount on toll at Penang Bridge – but only for those with RFID tag

RFID implementation on PLUS Closed System highways postponed

Touch ‘n Go to stop giving RFID tag for free after February 14 2020

10 PLUS toll plazas ready to accept payments via Touch ‘n Go’s RFID tag from Wednesday

62 highways (including Penang Bridges and 2nd Link) to accept RFID payments from January 1, 2020

PLUS to accept TnG RFID system on its highways, also addressing reload issues

RFID still has flaws, official launch delayed

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