Debit and credit card options for public transit rides in the works

SEPANG: Users of public transportation can use their debit and credit cards for their commutes once an open payment system is implemented, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said the system was expected to be rolled out in the next few months, especially for services under Prasarana Malaysia Bhd as well as KTM Bhd.

“For public transportation, I have ordered all our agencies, including operators under the ministry, to adopt an open payment system,” he said at a press conference after officiating the grand opening of the Plaza Premium Lounge at KLIA Terminal 1 here yesterday.

“For example, LRT users only have two options now, which are to buy a token from the vending machine or to use Touch ’n Go.

“We want to roll out an open payment system whereby, besides Touch ‘n Go, users can tap their debit or credit card to go in. It will take some time to integrate the system.”

He was also asked to comment on whether the exclusivity of Touch ‘n Go would be ended following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks at the Youth Empowerment Fair last Sunday, where he reportedly said Touch ‘n Go’s monopoly of highway toll collection would be reconsidered, given the lack of convincing progress on its services.

On this subject, Loke said Touch ‘n Go would remain as one of the payment options for public transport.

On another subject, Loke expressed his unhappiness over the recent drop in Skytrax rankings for KLIA, adding that just a decade ago, the terminal was among the Top 20 worldwide.

According to Skytrax’s World’s Top 100 Airports for 2023, the terminal dropped five spots to 67th place.

“Twenty-five years ago when KLIA opened, it was one of the top airports in the world. We have to admit that there are a lot of challenges currently,” he said during his keynote address at the grand opening.

“As the minister in charge, I do not want to sweep (the problems) under the carpet. We have to admit we have problems, we have issues, (and) we have to address them.”

At a press conference later, he said the KLIA aerotrain services and baggage handling system were major problems that had to be addressed.

“We have problems with the aerotrain operations. They are 25 years old and at the end of their lives.

“Hence, (operations) have been halted for some time,” he said, adding that passengers had voiced their grouses over the service.