Touch 'n Go

The Touch 'n Go smart card is used by Malaysian toll expressway and highway operators as the sole electronic payment system (EPS). The credit card-sized smart card is made of plastic with Philips' MIFARE Classic microchip technology embedded in it.

For the e-wallet app and service created by the same company, see Touch 'n Go eWallet.
Touch 'n Go
LocationMalaysia
Launched18 March 1997
Technology
ManagerTouch 'n Go Sdn Bhd
CurrencyMYR
Stored-valuePay as you go - Generic Card
Credit expiry12 months if dormant
Auto rechargeTouch 'n Go Zing Card
Unlimited useRapid KL MY50 & MY100
Validity
Retailed
  • Touch 'n Go Hubs & Hotspots
Variants
  • Generic Card
  • Corporate Card
  • Auto-Reload Card
  • eWallet
WebsiteTouch 'n Go

The Touch 'n Go systems are designed to process up to 800 vehicles per hour to ease the queue congestion at toll plazas and if used together with SmartTAG (a non-stop electronic toll collection system), will be able to process up to 1,200 vehicles per hour.

Mirai Suenaga Touch 'n Go
Touch 'n Go lane signboard.

History

Touch 'n Go was developed by Teras Teknologi Sdn Bhd while the brand and the Real Time Gross Settlement (central clearing house systems) are owned and operated by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd as now known as Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd. The first Touch 'n Go system was installed and used at Jalan Pahang Toll Plaza on 18 March 1997. It was then immediately extended to Jalan Cheras toll plaza and the East–West Link Expressway toll plaza on 15 April 1997. The Touch 'N Go toll payment system was fully implemented throughout the 848 km North–South Expressway on 15 November 1998. This was made possible when the service was extended to the northern sections of the highway from Jelapang to Jitra. As such the smart card can be used to pay toll from Kempas in Johor to Jitra in Kedah, making it one of the world's longest single stretches of expressway to have electronic toll payment systems. The official launch was done at the Sungai Dua toll plaza and officiated by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd's then chairman, Datuk Dr Ramli Mohamad.

The Touch 'n Go system was implemented in Cityliner Sdn Bhd, a stage bus service in Klang Valley in 2000. Touch 'n Go card users enjoyed discount fares of 10% when it was first introduced. Due to the needs to further consolidate company operations, card users were required to pay full fare prices after 13 November 2003. However, the Touch 'n Go card reader system on board buses was not well maintained by the bus operator. Card readers often malfunctioned and were not updated. Another subsidiary of Park May Berhad, City Profile Sdn Bhd, a feeder bus service (service known as Putraline) for PUTRA LRT was also introduced and the system was successfully implemented until the Rapid KL bus revamp program took place.

The Touch 'n Go facility was also embedded in Buy N Fly loyalty card rewards program for Malaysia Airlines retail arm, Golden Boutiques Sdn Bhd's which was launched in December 1999. The hybrid cards have multi function on rewards airpoint, MEPS Cash & Touch 'n Go. However, on 16 July 2002, Malaysia Airlines announced that "Buy N Fly" Programme had ceased operations and consolidated its loyalty rewards into one entity; Malaysia Airlines Enrich Frequent Flyer Programme. Buy N Fly cards are no longer issued but active hybrid card users are still able to use them to perform transactions.

Card categories

The cards can be categorize into 3 types:

Generic cards

Standard card

A standard stored value Touch 'n Go cards fare structure currently available for adult fare for public transportation fare and standard class vehicles with 2 axles and 3 or 4 wheels (Class 1) excluding taxis for toll fare. It is like a top up card.

The card is derived from several designs.

Identity card

MyKad is embedded with Touch 'n Go chip since 2001.

Co-Branded Cards
PLUSMiles card

There is also a PLUSMiles Touch n' Go card, which is available on the North–South Expressway. The card provides a 5% rebate to users of expressways operated by PLUS (E1, E2, E3, E6, E15, E29 and E36) driving in private non-commercial vehicles.[1]

MyRapid card

Public transportation monthly pass for Rapid KL services.

TESCO Clubcard

Since 2014, the Malaysian edition of Tesco Clubcard is embedded with Touch 'n Go features.[2]

Corporate cards

Fleet Xs card

It mainly purposed for toll fare payment. The details of company name, vehicle registration number and vehicle class was printed on the card. Credit term of 30 [3] days given for post payment and fleet operators are able to monitor toll record/vehicle movement at highways via e-statement (itemised statement) after 24 to 48 hours from the time of transaction.

Biz Xs card

It is the same as standard card mainly purposed for corporate users.

Auto-reload card

Zing Card

The Touch 'n Go Zing Card is a companion card (works as generic card) that is linked to Visa, MasterCard or American Express issued by participating banks in Malaysia. Each time the card balance falls below RM50, it will trigger the auto-reload mechanism to reload RM100 into the card. The amount will be charged to the credit card plus RM2 as auto-reload fee for each time reload. The auto-reload function is only available on road tolls when the threshold trigger occurs; if the card is used to pay other services such as trains and car parks, it will not trigger the auto-reload.

The participating banks are

Zing card auto-reload facility is currently offered as a bank card.

Purchase and reload

Generally, a standard card can be purchased at the price of RM10, without any loaded value. Cards may be reloaded in multiples of RM 10 (counters and some self-service machines) or RM 5 (self-service machines only).[4]

Self-service machines
  • Credit/Debit Card Self-Service Kiosk (SSK) - (Amex, MasterCard & VISA)
    • Touch 'n Go Hub, Lot L2.07, Level 2, NU Sentral Shopping Centre
    • Touch 'n Go Hub, Ground Floor, Tower 2A, Avenue 5, Bangsar South
    • Nilai Lay-By (South Bound)
    • Subang Toll Plaza (Outbound)
    • Ebor North Toll Plaza (Inbound)
  • Cash Self-Service Kiosk (SSK)

Cash/credit card counters

Cash drive-through counters
  • Toll plazas with "Tambah Nilai" sign
Touch 'n Go reload lane signboard.

Auto Teller Machines

Card usage

Touch 'n Go card is not only for toll fare but also parking services, public transport, theme park and cashless payment at retail outlets.

Specialised Touch 'n Go lanes are provided at toll plazas in Malaysian Highways.

Toll fare

Main article: Malaysian Expressway System

Touch 'n Go can be used in entire highways stretches in Malaysia with the familiar TnG & TAG sign marked on the road. Two systems were introduced on toll fare collection instead of manual ticket. Due to highways with numerous junctions or intersections serving short distance trips, most of Malaysia's highways use open system toll collection.

Toll fare collection on open system

Card users only have to touch at the reader at Touch 'n Go lanes counter or drive thru SmartTAG lanes at certain toll plazas. Toll fares charged are fixed regardless the distance travelled.

Toll fare collection on closed system

Card users "touch in" before entering the expressway at respective toll plazas and "touch out" at the exit toll plaza. Vehicle with card have to drive thru TnG lanes and TAG lanes for SmartTAG users. Toll fares are charged based on the distance between the entry plaza and the exit plaza. Card users have to make sure the amount balance is more than RM20 before entering the toll plaza. Those less than RM20 are required to top it up either at the offices or at TAMBAH NILAI lanes, otherwise it will not be able to enter the highway. Seven expressways do have these feature, the most famous is the North–South Expressway.

SmartTAG

Main article: SmartTAG

An extension of Touch 'n Go is SmartTAG or TAG on board unit, which allows users to insert the card into a reader device installed in the vehicle for fully automatic/non-stop payment at toll plazas. Payment is made automatically as the toll charge is deducted from the value stored in the Touch 'n Go card.

Electronic toll collection systems

There are three types of the electronic toll collection (ETC) systems, Touch 'n Go card unit, Smart TAG on board unit and RFID tag. Touch 'n Go and Smart TAG, have been made compulsory in all expressways since 1 July 2004, following the instruction of the Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. Other electronic payment systems that were previously used by other highway operators such as PLUS TAG for all PLUS expressways network, Express TAG for Shah Alam Expressway, FasTrak for Damansara–Puchong Expressway and Sprint Expressway and SagaTag in Cheras–Kajang Expressway, were abolished in a move to standardise the electronic payment method.

Other expressway concessionaries PLUS Expressways
Toll collection systems Touch 'n Go SmartTAG Touch 'n Go Touch 'n Go SmartTAG Touch 'n Go PLUS RFiD
MyRFiD MyRFiD VEP RFiD
Touch 'n Go Generic Card
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Touch 'n Go Corporate Card
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Touch 'n Go Zing Card
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Touch 'n Go eWallet
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via PayDirect link to Generic Card
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via PayDirect link to Generic Card
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•
•
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VEP enforcement deferred until further notice
•
will be extended to open and closed system nationwide after fully launch
Bank Card (Debit/Credit)
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under pilot test on open system
Notes Nationwide toll collection on open system RFID tag issuance by Touch 'n Go for Malaysian registered vehicle. Nationwide toll collection on open and closed system Nationwide toll collection on open system RFID tag issuance by Touch 'n Go for foreign registered vehicle currently available at Johor checkpoints. RFID tag issuance by PLUS Expressways.

Public Transportation

Main article: Klang Valley Rail Transit
Main article: Rapid Bus - Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan

Since 2002, Touch 'n Go has been chosen as the common cashless ticketing system for all rail and bus lines in Klang Valley, in parallel with co-branded Rapid KL's My Rapid card (abolished in 2017) and KTM's Komuterlink (not using Touch 'n Go fare collection system). For all Touch 'n Go logo printed card, it is hence accepted on:

as well as all Rapid KL buses and Kajang Line feeder buses. Touch 'n Go is also accepted in Rapid Kuantan buses in Pahang, Perak Transit myBas Ipoh in Perak,[6] and Panorama Melaka buses in Malacca.[7]

Touch ‘n Go eWallet
Main article: Touch 'n Go eWallet

Touch 'n Go eWallet is an integrated mobile app to use the Touch ‘n Go generic card. It allows users to add in Touch ‘n Go generic card number only easier to track the transaction. The usage balance in the eWallet is not interchangeable to the physical card and vice versa. However, the eWallet balance can be used if link to the physical card to activate the PayDirect payment mechanism.

Functions available with the app for easier daily usage:

  • Pay for movie tickets
  • Easier transfer money between TnG eWallet
  • Top up eWallet for Toll usage
  • Purchase of flight tickets
  • Retail purchase with attached merchants
  • Drive through tolls using money from your eWallet

Pilot test: DUKE Highways (commenced on 8th Dec 2018)

Duke 1

  • Plaza Tol BatuPlaza Tol Ayer Panas
  • Plaza Tol Sentul Pasar

Duke 2

  • Plaza Tol Segambut
  • Plaza Tol Sentul Pasar Tambahan

Criticisms
  • Add Value/Reload Charge
Free reload only available from manual transaction over the counter of Touch 'n Go Hub, Highway Operation Office & selected highway toll lanes, major stations of Rapid KL & KTM Komuter. Reload over the ATM and reload agents will incur an additional fee of RM0.50 and RM1.00 at Cash Deposit machine. RM2.00 will be charged for Zingcard autoreload for every RM100.
  • Cheque Refund
Refund for card balance and deposit will be paid by cheque in one month processing and sent by post by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd.
  • No Usage Discount
Concessionary users are charged between 2.0 - 2.5 percent of the profit for using the system. No discount is given but instead card users may have to pay the commission fee. Car park operators usually pass on the Touch 'n Go commission fee onto card users, resulting in users paying 10% more.
  • Rebates Program
Effective 5 Oct 2009, users can claim rebate if their usage exceeds 80 tolled transactions per month. The rebate amounts to 20% of total usage and given in points credited to the card, not cash. It is only can be claimed at the Touch 'n Go counters at the toll offices.
  • Effectiveness Argued
Although the system was introduced in the last 20 years, with the support of the Government (particularly by incorporation the system into MyKad), card and concessionary users still prefer to use cash. According to a Bank Negara report on Payment System Act 2003; 39% of non-cash transactions in Malaysia were paid with Touch 'n Go. Non-cash payment via Touch 'n Go (and SmartTAG) accounted to 35% of all toll payments nationwide and 50% in the Klang Valley. However, to date, Touch 'n Go claims their 10 years of research and development has resulted to 4 million card users (from 20 million population) and use by all 19 toll concession companies in operation in Malaysia.
  • E-Statement
All transaction records within 3 days from the date cannot be viewed through the e-Statement. Fax transactions recorded by phone are however available within 24 hours and mostly depended on data server system. However, recently there is a site to view the transactions, up to ninety days at MYTouchnGo Portal.
  • Limited CTS Fare Structure
Fare structure only applicable for adult. The cards is not available for senior citizens, children, students or handicapped; however since 2017 RapidKL has introduced Touch 'n Go concession cards for its services, replacing the previous myrapid-based cards.[8]
  • KLIA Check-in
Touch 'n Go card users can no longer access the airline check-in counters at KL Sentral using their Touch 'n Go card as of June 2015. The Touch 'n Go card can still be used (RM55 each way) to board the KLIA Express itself, but travellers will need to check-in at KLIA instead.

Trivia
  • The dormant Touch n' Go card (no transactions in 1 year), will be deactivated and incur a RM5 fee every 6 months until the card is reactivated or the balance and deposit is used up.[9]
  • Lifespan is always 10 years compared to CEPAS cards which has a lifespan of 5 years.
gollark: - It's important to me that women aren't forced to have children they don't want or may not be able to take care of.- which is why I support mandatory sterilization for all - children would be grown in vats and raised by the government instead.
gollark: - I support the right to privacy!- In light of governments' large-scale mass surveillance campaigns which they do not seem inclined to stop, I would support an open and transparent volunteer spying agency using open source software and hardware to gather and process data in order to act as a competitor.
gollark: These are hard...
gollark: - which is why I think all government workers should be randomly selected, similarly to jury duty
gollark: - which is why I think anyone in government who makes a mistake of any kind should be immediately fired

See also

References
  1. "AskPLUSMiles". Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  2. "What is Clubcard?". Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  3. http://www.touchngo.com.my/CMS/Business/Business-Products/Fleet-Pass/About-Fleet-Pass-Card/
  4. "Locations". Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  5. "Touch 'n Go :: No Reload Fee". Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  6. "Be like myBas Ipoh, go cashless, Loke tells bus service providers". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  7. "Touch 'n Go :: Transit". Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  8. "CONCESSION CARDS". Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2010-12-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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