Touch 'n Go


Touch 'n Go is a contactless smart card system used for electronic payments in Malaysia. The system was introduced in 1997 and is widely used for toll payments on highways, public transportation, parking, and other services. The card is equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip that allows users to make payments by simply tapping the card on a reader device. Touch 'n Go cards can be reloaded with funds either online or at designated reload kiosks. The system has become a popular and convenient way for Malaysians to make cashless transactions.

History

Touch 'n Go was developed by Teras Teknologi Sdn Bhd while the brand and the Real Time Gross Settlement are owned and operated by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd, 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 E37 East–West Link Expressway toll plaza on 15 April 1997. The Touch 'N Go toll payment system was fully implemented throughout the 848 km E1/E2 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 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 need 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 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 the 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 are multi-function at the rewards airpoint, MEPS Cash and Touch 'n Go. However, on 16 July 2002, Malaysia Airlines announced that the 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 categorized into three types:

Generic cards

Classic card

A standard stored-value Touch 'n Go card fare structure is currently available for adult fare for public transportation and standard class vehicles with two axles and three or four wheels, excluding taxis for toll fare. It is like a top-up card.
The card is derived from several designs.

NFC card

The Touch 'n Go card, which is enhanced with NFC technology to enable reload via the Touch 'n Go eWallet, allows us to reload wherever you are and at any time. The enhanced card is currently sold via Touch 'n Go eWallet at cost of RM10.00 per card.

Identity card

is embedded with the 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 driving in private non-commercial vehicles.
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.

Dual Currency Card

EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card can be use as a contactless payment at both countries except for public transportation in Singapore. However, its only catered for Singapore registered vehicles travelling between Singapore and Malaysia.

Corporate cards

Fleet Xs card

It is mainly used for toll fare payment. Company name, vehicle registration number and vehicle class details are printed on the card. A credit term of 30 days is given for post payment and fleet operators are able to monitor toll record/vehicle movement at highways via e-statement after 24 to 48 hours from the time of transaction.

Biz Xs card

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

Auto-reload card

Zing Card

The Touch 'n Go Zing Card is a companion 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 triggers the auto-reload mechanism to reload RM100 onto the card. The amount is charged to the credit card plus RM2 as an auto-reload fee for each 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 auto-reload card cannot be manually reload value same as generic card.
Participating banks are:
The 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 or RM 5.

Self-service machines

Cash/credit card counters

Cash drive-through counters

  • Toll plazas with the "Tambah Nilai" sign

Auto Teller Machines

Card usage

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

Toll fare

Touch 'n Go can be used on entire highway stretches in Malaysia with the familiar TnG & TAG sign marked on the road. Two systems were introduced for toll fare collection instead of manual tickets. 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 the reader at Touch 'n Go lane counters or drive-through SmartTAG lanes at certain toll plazas. Toll fares charged are fixed regardless of 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 cards 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 with less than RM20 are required to top it up either at the offices or at TAMBAH NILAI lanes, otherwise they are unable to enter the highway. Seven expressways have the feature; the most famous is the North–South Expressway.

SmartTAG

An extension of Touch 'n Go is the SmartTAG or TAG onboard 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 systems, Touch 'n Go card unit, Smart TAG onboard 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.
''TNG card and TNG ewallet balances are non-transferable. Therefore, road user has to take a note.''

Public transportation

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 and KTM's Komuterlink. For all Touch 'n Go logo printed cards, they are accepted at:
as well as all Rapid KL buses and feeder buses. Touch 'n Go is also accepted in Rapid Kuantan buses in Pahang, Perak Transit in Perak, and Panorama Melaka buses in Malacca.

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 the Touch 'n Go generic card number to more easily track their transactions.
The usage balance in the eWallet is not interchangeable to the physical card and vice versa. However, the eWallet balance can be used if linked to the physical card to activate the PayDirect payment mechanism.
Functions available with the app for easier daily usage:
  • Pay for movie tickets, concerts, and events
  • 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 the eWallet
List of highways that accept PayDirect payment method:

Criticisms

  • Add value/reload charge
  • Cheque refund
  • No usage discount
  • Rebates program
  • Effectiveness argued
  • E-statement
  • Limited CTS fare structure
  • KLIA check-in
  • Reload via eWallet
  • Lack of NFC for Visa cards
  • '''Flexibility payment for toll fares'''