Malaysia’s North-South Expressway Transitions to RFID Beginning 15 January 2021

Automologist ATHERTON who travels a lot across Malaysia welcomes the news. 

There you go, folks. You will be able to use the RFID system to pay for toll fees when travelling on the North-South Expressway, beginning 15th of January next year.

Syed Mohammed Idid, Head of Strategic Stakeholder Engagement for Plus Malaysia, who is also an old friend, said it will be available on lanes for Class 1 vehicles at all toll plazas along an 800km stretch of the Expressway, starting from Juru, Penang at the north and all the way down to Skudai, Johor.

This is to provide convenient, safe and speedy services for you and me, the everyday road user. The implementation is in line with the Intelligent Transport System Blueprint, which includes the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) to allow free-flow high-speed tolling. Toll congestion will be a thing of the past.

The plan is to eventually phase out Touch ‘n Go and SmartTag usage as RFID and MLFF offer users a seamless, contactless experience. The tag can be obtained at a low and reasonable cost.

“Those who use the system can enjoy a smoother ride without stopping at the RFID lanes by travelling at a speed of 30km/h…It also enables one to perform touchless payment that reduces the risk of Covid-19 infections. It also offers cashless digital security and top-ups via Touch ‘n Go e-Wallet that eliminates the need to visit top-up lanes or counters,” said the Works Ministry in a statement.

I for one welcome such a move as it saves me a whole lot of time and unnecessary burning of precious fuel at congested toll plazas. Hopefully, they will introduce this to the East Coast highways soon as I ply that route often. Nevertheless, it’s a good start. Log on to Touch ‘n Go or PLUS portals for more info.