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KUALA LUMPUR – Highway users should be allowed to use all forms of toll payment systems in light of the recent complaints about the implementation of radio frequency identification (RFID) payment system for PLUS highways.
Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) said in a statement that PLUS Malaysia Bhd has to enable access to other payment platforms for toll, not only via debit or credit cards but also other e-wallet systems.
“In light of the increasing complaints by consumers on the issues related to the implementation of RFID across PLUS highways, MyCC also shared its assessment and concerns in the same meeting on the said implementation.
“This includes enabling access to other payment platforms for payment of tolls not only via debit or credit cards, but also other e-wallet systems,” it said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, MyCC will be paying close attention to the progress of the RFID implementation, taking into account consumer concerns about PLUS and Touch ‘n’ Go (TNG) Sdn Bhd.
“Taking into account the special responsibilities arising from the dominant positions of both enterprises in the relevant market, MyCC will continue to monitor the situation from time to time and when any competition concern is identified, the Competition Act 2010 will be enforced.”
This comes after a January 17 meeting between MyCC, PLUS and TNG.
“Secondly, it is pertinent to remember that innovation-related markets can create uncertainty.
“Thus, MyCC will work closely with the government to ensure these changes will always serve the consumers’ best interest,” said MyCC CEO Iskandar Ismail.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said road users must be given the option of using either the RFID system, TNG, or SmartTAG at toll gates.
He said this was decided by the cabinet yesterday, which was of the view that road users must be given a choice, just like how it was practised when TNG was introduced in its early years and cash payments were still allowed to continue.
“Users must be given the freedom whether to use RFID, TNG or SmartTAG,” he told reporters after the launch of the Keluarga Malaysia Agricommodity tour programme here yesterday.
On December 16, 2021, the government had announced that the RFID system would be starting its operations at all toll plazas at the Juru-Skudai stretch of the North-South Expressway starting January 15, 2022.
TNG and SmartTAG lanes would eventually be phased out to allow for the opening of more RFID lanes.
However, RFID toll gates have been met with public criticism for causing traffic jams due to issues with the system.
Recently, drivers at Sg Besi, Bandar Seri Putra and Subang toll plazas were stuck in traffic standstills, which started at 7am and lasted into the evening rush hour. – The Vibes, January 20, 2022