MRTs, LRTs installing systems to accept plastic money

CREDIT and debit cards will be among the payment methods that will soon be available for users of Prasarana-operated public transport in the Klang Valley, said the Transport Ministry.

Minister Anthony Loke said these open payment systems are expected to be fully installed on all rail lines in the Klang Valley by August 2025.

He said Prasarana had begun installing payment systems across rail lines in early 2023.

“Prasarana is currently finalising the rollout for the Kelana Jaya LRT line, Ampang LRT line, Kajang MRT line, Putrajaya MRT line and Monorail lines,” Loke said yesterday.

“The design and development phase is expected to begin in March 2024. Prasarana will take 11 months, which is until February 2025, to equip at least 50% of all gantries at all stations with open payment systems. By August 2025, gantries across all stations will be equipped,” he said.

The open payment system will allow users to pay with credit and debit cards on top of the current Touch ‘n Go cards and tokens.

The system could also be upgraded to accept QR payment methods in the next phase, Loke added.

He was responding to a question by Wong Chen (PH-Subang), who asked about the implementation of open payment systems for public transportation in the Klang Valley, especially those handled by Prasarana, such as the LRT, MRT and RapidKL bus systems.

Loke added that the automatic fare collection system for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) rail services in the Klang Valley was almost complete.

“By mid-November 2023, all 57 KTMB stations in the Klang Valley will be equipped with scanners at their gantries.

“This will support payment through credit and debit cards, Touch ‘n Go, and QR methods through the KTMB mobile application,” he said.

On the newly introduced women’s coach on the Kajang MRT line, Loke said Prasarana had stationed official and auxiliary police officers to ensure only females used the coaches.

“I feel compliance is high, as users will leave the women’s coach once they realise it is designated for females,” he said to a question from Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu).

Women could still use regular coaches if the female-only ones were full, but the government currently does not intend to increase their number, Loke added.

“If we add more women’s coaches, it will reduce the number of coaches for men. There has to be a balance.

“Out of four coaches (in a train), one is specified for women, and we will study its effectiveness,” he said.