Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook today gave an update regarding his ministry’s plans for an Open Payment system for public transportation in our country.
Loke said that the Open Payment system is a global trend that has been implemented in many major cities’ public transportation systems such as in London, Sydney and Singapore.
Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook
Accordingly, the Transport Minister announced that the whole KTMB Komuter network system in Klang Valley is being upgraded with the Open Payment system called Automatic Fare Collection (AFC).
Loke asserted that the upgrading works are almost finished and will be operational starting mid-November, whereby all 57 KTMB Komuter stations in Klang Valley will be equipped with upgraded scanners at the gantries.
Commuters can use credit cards, debit cards, Touch ‘n Go and even QR codes via the KTMB mobile application at these gantries. The whole project costs RM29 million.
Besides that, the Transport Minister also revealed that since early 2023, Prasarana has begun planning for the implementation of the Open Payment system at its rail networks in Klang Valley.
Currently, Prasarana is finalising the implementation plan for Rapid Rail, which includes the LRT Kelana Jaya, LRT Ampang, MRT Kajang, MRT Putrajaya and Monorail.
The new system will introduce additional payment modes using MyDebit and credit cards at the gantry on top of the use of Touch ‘n Go cards and tokens.
The Transport Minister added that these ‘design and development’ works are expected to begin in March 2024 and will take Prasarana approximately 11 months or until February 2025 to update 50% of the gantries at each station with the Open Payment system.
Loke said that by August 2025, all gantries at all stations will be updated with the Open Payment system, with the possibility of a QR code payment mode being introduced, should it be necessary.
The Transport Minister elaborated on all the above during his reply to a question in Parliament by Subang Member of Parliament (MP) Wong Chen today who asked for an update regarding the Open Payment system plan for public transportation in Malaysia.
So, what do you guys think of the announcements by Loke? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: “No train during peak hours?” – KTM Train Fails to Show Up After M’sian Waited for More Than 1 Hour
