KUALA LUMPUR: Plus Malaysia Bhd (Plus) is making early preparations to set up its open payment systems at the Penang Bridge and Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE) where motorists can use credit and debit cards to pay toll charges come September.
PLUS chief operating officer Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi said they will work with the Malaysia Highway Authority to ensure the smooth flow of the systems in September when it can be officially used by motorists.
At the Penang Bridge, Zakaria said they are preparing to conduct tests on the open toll payment system where credit and debit cards can be used at the RFID lanes, apart from the Touch n' Go (TnG) e-wallet.
At the BKE's Kubang Semang toll plaza, preparations are being done to test the open payment system using credit or debit cards.
"The implementation of payment via the credit or debit card will give more options to road users in the future.
"PLUS is always ready to explore and test more convenient toll payment methods for the convenience of highway users," he said.
Earlier today, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the government will "not be cruel" and end TnG services amid a review of its monopoly.
He said there will be tri-ministerial discussions with his Transport and Works ministries counterpart to include more payment methods and expanded to other highways such as PLUS.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently said the government will review the TnG "monopoly" as there has not been a significant service improvement since it started.
Anwar had said TnG has been in operation for around two decades but there has not been convincing progress and that the government would reconsider its monopoly.
On Monday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry had instructed all agencies including public transport operators under the ministry's purview to create an open payment system application.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Sungai Besi Expressway, the Ampang - Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, the New Pantai Expressway, the Guthrie Corridor Expressway and the Penang Bridge will begin enforcing an open payment system by September.