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PLUS Malaysia Berhad has unveiled the country’s first open-payment toll pilot using Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, offering registered motorists on the North–South Expressway unprecedented lane flexibility.
The pilot programme is being rolled out for private vehicles along the 87.7-kilometre stretch from Hutan Kampung to Sungai Dua, encompassing nine toll plazas, including Hutan Kampung, Alor Setar Utara, Alor Setar Selatan, Pendang, Gurun, Sungai Petani Utara, Sungai Petani Selatan, Bertam and Sungai Dua.
Under the initiative, registered users are granted “lane freedom,” allowing them to pass through any participating toll lane without being restricted to a designated payment lane.
PLUS said the first phase of the rollout is expected to ease congestion at toll plazas while reducing unsafe last-minute lane changes.
The system relies on ANPR cameras installed at toll plazas to capture vehicle number plates, with toll charges automatically processed via the JustGO Malaysia mobile app.
Users register their vehicles and link a preferred payment method, such as a debit or credit card, with no additional devices required and no upfront costs.
Additional payment options, including e-wallets and online banking, are expected to be introduced in the coming months.
PLUS noted that the technology is supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning, allowing it to accurately identify vehicles under varying conditions such as rain, differing speeds, angles, and non-standard number plates, with detection accuracy improving over time.
“Testing of the ANPR system since September 2024 has shown faster vehicle recognition compared with existing tolling systems, thanks to wider camera coverage at toll plazas,” PLUS said, adding that trials were conducted in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority and other concessionaires.
While the pilot continues, physical barriers remain in place, and motorists using the ANPR lanes are advised to maintain speeds between 20km/h and 25km/h without stopping.
The JustGO Malaysia platform is intended as an open-payment digital system co-owned by the highway industry, aligning with government objectives to provide more flexible toll payment options.
It also features an e-invoicing function, while existing payment methods—including Touch ‘n Go cards, SmartTAG, and RFID—remain valid.
PLUS personnel have been testing the ANPR cameras under various operating conditions, including wet weather, to ensure accuracy and reliability across different scenarios.
The company said the pilot represents a significant step towards modernising toll operations and improving the overall experience for Malaysian motorists. - January 9, 2026
