Only Touch 'n Go card for all toll payment... Jan 1, 2003

[jeffooi]

BERNAMA.COM
October 31 , 2002 17:30PM

<FONT SIZE="+1">Electronic Toll Payment System Standardised From Jan 1</FONT>

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The common electronic toll payment system
using the Touch 'n Go card will start on Jan 1 next year, Works Minister
Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Thursday.

He said the ministry had directed all the toll concessionaires to use the
system.

"Starting Jan 1 2003, other electronic cards are no longer negotiable and
they must switch to the Touch 'n Go card," he said when launching the Touch
'n Go Mastercard issued by Affin Bank at the Sungai Besi toll plaza here.

Currently, eight of the 15 toll operators in the country do not use the
Touch 'n Go as some have their own electronic payment system and also use
the cash payment system.

Samy Vellu told a media conference later that the toll operators had been
given ample time (since 1998) to switch to the common system.

"We are asking them to go for one common system which is approved by the
government (Touch 'n Go)," he said.

He said that even before the toll operators began their operation, the
ministry had reminded them to use a common system, However, many of them had
purchased other equipment for their version of electronic toll payment.

Samy Vellu said that nevertheless the equipment could be synchronised with
the usage of the common system. -- BERNAMA


SOURCE:
http://www.bernama.com/B2002/news.shtml?general/ge3110_12

[CH]

Anyone have any idea regarding the currently suspended auto reload card status?

At this moment, all the Touch'n Go Branded Auto Reload card has been converted to manual reload since Oct / Nov(?) last year. And from the announcement, it sounds like if we want to get auto reload again, we will have to get those come with the creditcards and not reactivate the current card.

Meaning.

1. Additional creditcard just for toll.
2. Additional annual fee for the creditcard.
3. Additional credit limit to spend and get in debt faster if not careful.
4. Additional hassle if you lost the card ...

Just because their system cannot cope with the increasing load of users ... :(

[pcyeoh]

The auto reload problem has something to do with the way the transaction is being processed. I understand it is being done in batches. Example: Your credit left in your card is RM 20.00 and you enter Subang Toll. With that amount, you can exit anywhere where the total toll payable is less than RM 20.00. But should you head north and exit at Jelapang (hopefully no heavy vehicle crash into you), you live to create problem for the operator because your auto reload transaction has not been processed yet. It is still sitting in the server. Somehow, they don't process this transaction online. Six months ago their lady GM proudly announced that they have resolved the problem but till today, nothing happens. This must be a 'All Talk N Go' Press conference.

Instead of trying to resolve this problem encompassing all credit cards, Rangkaian Segar chose to do so selectively and today you can do so via the Affin Bank credit card. I just called PLUS 03-2692000 five minutes ago and they confirmed "Sorry Encik, you hanya boleh pakai Affin Bank card sahaja." When I complained "Apa masalah HSBC card - tak laku ka?" he politely told me "Ini Encik kena panggil Rangkaian Segar." When I asked "Boleh saya panggil Semi Value.......er er I mean Samy Vellu", he said "Ini terpulang kepada awak." And before I asked for Samy's handphone number, the line went dead. So this is a 'Force N Go" solution which only Samy Vellu can execute.

So, let us vent our protest over this "force down the throat" action by paying at the "Tambah Nilai" lane and pay with the biggest change and do it slowly. In this way, all the traffic will get screwed up and hopefully, a strong message is communicated to them. This is what I call "Self Empowerment NGO"

[ericgan]

Why Fastrak can do the auto reload without any problem ? When you use the Fastrak and your balance hit RM 20 they will just top up for you and charge you later. Why TnG is having problem when others is running smoothly. I wonder why ? :confused:

[satish]

Becos of monopoly..and inefficiency of R Segar....
My experience of T n G..
I entered tru Subang toll gate using smart tag lane..
barrier opened nn let me pass.
On reaching jalan kuching toll, smart tag bar will not open. the staff told me, "my account got
problem", nn asked me to pay cash.
On chking wz their office, they said that they
were unable to send invoices to my credit card, as it has passed the 3 months time limit.
They have my address, my fone number, but they preferred to stop me by not opening the bar, instead of calling me on fone, or sending a letter to me about this problem!
I suspect they want to make things difficult for me!
Now they say only "certain" banks allowed for auto
reload facility.
Even market vendors accecpt all established
credit cards issued by international banks! But not T n G..
Something not rite here..?
Is someone gaining by this "monopoly"??
Who is going to reimburse me for the Fastrack
equipment I bought?? let alone the stored money
value in it?
RM 200 plus for smart tag gadget is plain robbery.
Lucky i got mine for Rm99 the early days!

What say the rest?

[kwchang]

Looking at the positive side....
The T&G card is much more portable - just put it in your pocket and you can go ride the Putra LRT and some city buses. Imagine lugging along the Fastrak lump to the LRT or buses.

Well, it will be a monopoly because I think they plan to corner the whole transport system - highway, train and bus. Won't be surprised if you can pay for the taxi or airport limo with the T&G card in future.

Like the other people, I'd like to see the company pull up their socks and take in other credit cards. Just because they can't keep their accounts straight with the credit card companies (while others seem to do OK), they should not burden consumers like us who supported them in the first place.

[ericgan]

So anyone know what will happen to the people ( including me that is ) that has bought the Fastrack ? Will they transfer our credit balance into the TnG if we have one ?

[kwchang]

I am only guessing and hoping that the highway companies would transfer the credit to the T&G cards, otherwise credit the balance back to our credit cards. Only logical way to go. PLUSTag settled the difference by crediting the credit cards of their customers way when it converted to T&G.

However, the Fastrak devices were bought by consumers, hence the cost of that device is not refundable. Between me and my wife, we have 3 Fastraks - the extra one was because Kesas was at one stage incompatible with Sprint.

[pcyeoh]

Actually, I am happy to pay RM 220.00 for the SmartTag. (priced RM 150.00 today) This means that not any Ah Too, Abu and Samy (let us not forget Gurmit also) can afford it thus leaving people like me exclusive use of the lane. I remembered at one time having paid RM 220.00, I was fighting with the rest of the Touch N Go card users during the Kongsi Raya when PLUS opened the special lane to all card users. Where got like that one. And thank to Tan Sri Kadir Jasin, he used his Sunday NST column, Other Thots to whack PLUS for not according us who paid through our noses for the Smart Tag the special privilege of cruising thru the special lane. From that year onwards, I always felt every cent of the RM 220.00 worth it everytime I cruise thru the busy toll plazas especially during balik kampung trips. But unfortunately, during my work, I can't do that. I need the receipt to make a claim. Thus sometimes, I come across one or two motorists who sometime give me a stare for they must be wondering that I must be mad to have a Smart Tag and yet chose to queue up.

Coming to the auto reload issue, I wonder why they must dictate that the minimum balance must be RM 50.00 and the minimum reload value must be RM100.00. Has PLUS being accorded a banking licence recently? Can you imagine the amount of money held by PLUS? If there are 100,000 motorists who opted for it, at any one time, PLUS would averagely have RM 10,000,000 in their hand. The "depositors" are not even given a discount let alone interest? And how sure are we that the balance is correct. I don't trust their system. The very fact that my Touch N Go card shows a XX.X5 sen balance proves that. They don't even provide you with the accounts statement unlike the previous tag called PlusTag. But on the other hand, I have come to accept this. Imagine your wife or girlfriend gets hold of the statement and confront you "Ah ha...... you went to Kluang last week and coincidentally, I also read in the papers that the authorities busted many of the "Ah Qua" beauty contestants there. So you must have switched your sexual preference lately eh? Tonight, you sleep in the dog house"

[jeffooi]

pcyeoh made a strong valid point.

Under the current Banking and Financial Institution Act (Bafia),
only registered FIs are allowed to keep the float.

Perhaps, CAP and Muhyiddin's ministry should start scratching
their heads or else the 'mafia' will defeat the Bafia.

In the case of PLUS, who force-forges a minimum 'pre-paid'
amount of RM100 by auto-trigger when the card balance is
depleted to RM50, will at some point keep a float of at least
RM150 in its coffers.

This is a creative way of financing its operation, interest-free,
provided by the end-users.

On the other hand, the OPM business model is maximised to the
hilt.



OPM? Other People's Money.

[jeffooi]

NEW STRAITS TIMES
Wednesday, November 6, 2002

Letters
<font size="+1">Public the loser in Touch ’n Go plan</font>


I'M surprised by the Works Minister's reason for directing every highway operator to use Touch 'n Go; the directive seeks to reduce the number of electronic toll payment systems.

Has he forgotten about MyKad, which is driven by the National Registration Department? It was reported that MyKad has MEPS, which is backed by commercial banks and Bank Negara, and would be the cash card of the nation within two years? It was reported that MyKad would be used to store identity, licence, and health details, as well as a cash card to shop, and pay bills and toll.

Then why is the ministry forcing operators to implement Touch 'n Go? Instead of instructing them to spend millions of ringgit to forgo their systems and convert to Touch 'n Go, the ministry should instruct them to be ready for the implementation of MEPS.

I'm saying this because with all these instructions and directions by different ministries, it is the public who end up losers.

Imagine this. I have a Saga Tag. Next year, I would have to ditch the tag and use Touch 'n Go, and within two years, I would have to drop Touch 'n Go and use MEPS.

Just imagine the incovenience caused to the public, not including the amount of time and money spent for these electronic gadgets.

The ministries should co-ordinate their plans and not execute their own agendas at the expense of the public.

MULIADI ALI
Cheras

* * * * *

LETTER
<font size="+1">Don't victimise public</font>

I AM a Fastrak user of the LDP, Shah Alam Expressway and Sprint Highway.

I am appalled by the Works Ministry's announcement that beginning Jan 1, all highways will be using only Touch 'n Go.

I don't see why such an instruction should apply to highways that have an established electronic toll payment system since they have a huge customer base.

Thus, I have to change my driving style from non-stop drive through toll plazas to "stop-wind down window-touch card-and-go".

If I want to continue to enjoy nonstop driving, I have to buy a Smart Tag, which is twice the cost of my Fastrak.

Another point: what is going to happen to the credit in my tag? I just bought a new Fastrak for my wife three months ago.

Is Rangkaian Segar willing to reimburse the cost? Or are we, the customers, at the losing end? If the Government and Rangkaian Segar wish to force every highway to use Touch 'n Go, so be it but please do not victimise the public along the way.

M.A.
Shah Alam


SOURCE:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Letters/20021106095018/Article/

[jeffooi]

NEW STRAITS TIMES
Wednesday, November 6, 2002

Letters
<font size="+1">Not wise to have one mode of payment</font>

YEARS ago, when the drive-through electronic toll-payment system was introduced, I felt great pride and achievement that our country had caught up with the Joneses. Now I am feeling dejected. We are moving backwards in this electronic age if only one mode of payment will be accepted soon.

Believe me, motorists do not relish the idea of paying the toll, what more being caught in the queue, especially during peak hours (within the Klang Valley), festival period (along national highways) and during thunderstorms. Any observer at the toll booths during peak hours would recognise which lane moves the fastest.

At non-tag lanes the driver has to slow down, wind down the window and reach out to do the necessary. But at the drive-through one merely has to slow down and then drive on. Statistics show that the number of tag users is small due to the initial high cost of acquiring the tag. I am sure that if all highway concessionaires use a common tag drive- through system, the gadget will be more affordable.

As for reloading, current methods are user-friendly. As a woman driver who has to commute to work in the wee hours of the morning, the drivethrough system offers an added safety feature. The driver's identity is not easily revealed as there is no necessity to wind down the windows. This lesssens the risks of being tailed, robbed and raped.

L.T.
Puchong


SOURCE:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Letters/20021106094825/Article/

[ginaphan]

what's wrong with cash?

I use cash for the following reasons:

a) pre-paid schemes do no offer me a better rate (they get our money upfront and finance their operations - there's one born every minite!)

b) Even if I get pass the toll booth real quick with the special lanes, the jam begins right after that (no diff).

c) this reload fiasco (as discussed above) leaves a bad taste in the mouth

d) I don't want to support monopolies

e) MyKad is not a good solution since it's also our national ID. I doubt I want my government to know more than they should. Besides, where does it stop? Perhaps, the MyKad can also act as a dept store rewards card as well? or a coffee bean card?

f) I like cash!

Until the provider can offer me better service, I see no reason why I should use ouchNGo. But that's me. All of the above will not apply to anyone else.

Perhaps my view will change one day, perhaps it will not.
I'm just stating my personal preference - not asking anyone to adopt it.

[kwchang]

Gina,

Do you notice that almost every Proton/Eon car owner will open their car-door instead of winding down their window to either pay or TnG at the toll booth? That's because our national car has such "quality" electric window-winders that we have a culture of twisting their arms backwards through an opened door. I'm sure many a foreigner will wonder why our national car owners do such contortions when we have electric windows ;) - similar to motorcyclists putting their jackets on backwards, another Malaysian oddity (but that is out of context in this thread).

Me? I use an old car that operates on a trusty hand-wound window which had never failed on me. But I prefer the electronic tags because
(a) I don't need to fumble for cash at the toll booths and
(b) I love the feel of zipping through a tag-lane during a thunderstorm when all the TnG and manual lanes are jammed.

[jeffooi]

NEW STRAITS TIMES
Friday, November 8, 2002

Letters
<font size="+1">It’s safer manually than Touch ’n Go</font>

Nov 8: WHILE I support the move for the use of a common toll payment system for our highways, I disagree with the Works Ministry directive to go solely with Rangkaian Segar’s Touch ’n Go.

If banks, which started off with proprietary electronic payment systems, could eventually converge to a common platform like MEPS, there's no reason why the same principle cannot be applied in this particular situation.

As it is today, Rangkaian Segar's customer service has been appalling. And for those who are still unaware of the dangers of the automatic upload service, please note that Rangkaian Segar could be asking you to pay for an automatic upload transaction done for a card which was terminated and returned two years ago! If you do want to use Touch 'n Go, it's safer to stay with the manual upload unless you are prepared to deal with such hassles later on.

C.Y. LOH
Seremban


SOURCE:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Letters/20021108085744/Article/

[jeffooi]

<font size="+1">Finally, the business and consumer issues
of Touch 'n Go surface...</font>

NEW SUNDAY TIMES
Sunday, November 17, 2002

<font size="+1">Toll operators question decision on Touch ‘n Go</font>
Sarban Singh and Elizabeth John

Nov 17: THE implementation of a single electronic toll collection (ETC) system is a classic case of the authorities pussyfooting on their decision.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had in 1999 said all expressway concessionaires would be required to set up Touch ‘n Go lanes at their toll plazas.

...As of yesterday, Touch ‘n Go system has been implemented at eight of the country's 16 highways covering 95 per cent of the tolled network.

Four operators use their own ETC systems while four others take only cash (see graphics on F1).

Now comes the poser.

... it has been reliably learnt that the operators are not against implementing the Touch ‘n Go system but are not agreeable to the terms and conditions offered by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd (RSSB).

"The terms and conditions offered are just unacceptable," says one player.

Under the terms and conditions, it is learnt that RSSB is asking to be paid a commercial rate of 3.69 per cent commission from the operators' daily collection.

It also wants the operators to install the systems as well as maintain the equipment at their toll plazas.

"Over and above this, we also have to have our own personnel at the point of sale as well as to supervise some of the Touch ‘n Go lanes and this does not make sense," he says.

Industry sources say that it will cost them between RM200,000 and RM300,000 to convert a cash lane into a Touch ‘n Go lane.

Top it up with a 10 per cent maintenance cost per annum and it is sheer waste, they say.

Some say that the commercial rate charged by RSSB is more than double charged by credit-card companies, which also supply and maintain the equipment.

...Some players question why the Government did not appoint MEPS (Malaysian Electronic Payment System) in place of Touch ‘n Go.

To justify this, they claim that MEPS, backed by 12 banks, has not only agreed to charge a commercial rate of 1.5 per cent of their daily collections as commission but to also bear the cost of installing the system as well as maintenance.

...For example, Litrak's revenue last year was RM150 million.

If 20 per cent of the motorists use ETC, it will have to pay RSSB RM1.1 million in commission.

Kesas will have to pay RSSB about RM95 million over a 20-year period under similar circumstances.

At present, there are 170,000 Fastrak and Express TAG users on the Litrak, Sprint and Kesas highways.

...It is learnt that RSSB has agreed to lower the commercial rate to 3.3 per cent if the operators agree to install the Touch ‘n Go system this year.

Industry players also question why the Works Ministry chose the Touch ‘n Go system as it is already outdated.

Is the implementation of the Touch ‘n Go system a step backwards when we already have drive-through ETC systems?

...And the cost of setting up Touch ‘n Go lanes depends on who is building it.

Industry sources claim it cost about RM200,000 per lane while RSSB says it is RM60,000. PLUS says it paid RM150,000 for one lane.

The operators seem to be in a touch and go situation. If they refuse to abide by the ministry's directive, they will still be able to collect toll manually.

But then, like any other deal that goes sour, as always, it will be the poor consumer who will end up paying for it.


FULL STORY:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Features/20021117102026/Article/

[jeffooi]

NEW SUNDAY TIMES
Sunday, November 17, 2002

<font size="+1">Touchy issue of toll collection</font>
Sarban Singh and Elizabeth John


RELOADING THE PRE-PAID CARDS
The ultimate inconvenience, complained every user, was reloading the cards.

These stinging comments and more in letters to this newspaper were a rather surprising reaction considering that Touch ‘n Go has been in use on 95 per cent of tolled highways over the last five years and boasts over a million users.

Is it just a case of Malaysians having to be dragged kicking and screaming into something new or is there cause for worry?

...Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd (RSSB) - operator of UEM-owned Touch 'n Go - chief operating officer Swinder Grewal says the biggest problem they face is the reloading of Touch ‘n Go cards.

At present, there are 90 Touch ‘n Go reload centres along tolled highways and 21 reload lanes on major highways.

Top-up can also be done at the Masjid Jamek and Kelana Jaya Putra LRT stations and six of Petronas Mesra convenience outlets. Reloading can also be done at 100 Bank Bumiputra Commerce automated teller machines and the autoreload facility has been recently reintroduced to Affin Bank credit-card holders.

It will get easier, says Swinder, as by the end of this month, users can reload their cards at 200 Maybank ATMs and by early next year, Hong Leong Bank and BCB will offer their credit-card holders the auto-reload option.

RSSB has also suggested that Malaysian Electronic Payment System Sdn Bhd (MEPS) opens its system to Touch ‘n Go to help alleviate the stress of reloading.

However, what does one say to Fastrak and Express TAG users who now have to switch from a drivethrough system to a Touch ‘n Go system on the Shah Alam Expressway, Damansara-Puchong Highway and Sprint's Western KL Traffic Dispersal scheme next year?

For them, it is a step backwards in terms of technology and convenience. Also, there is a very real worry that the 170,000 Fastrak and Express TAG users who whiz through Fastrak gantries daily will cause traffic to slow down when they have to stop, touch and go.


ETC EASES TRAFFIC FLOW
PLUS chief operating officer Mohd Hussein Abdul Hamid says 650 cars can be cleared on a Touch ‘n Go lane every hour and 1,200 cars on the SmartTAG lane compared to just 450 cars on the cash lane.

Fast clearance isn't the only thing Touch ‘n Go is pleased about. It is generally happy with the system which it has been using since 1998, says Hussein.

Usage of both have grown from 19 per cent last year to 30 per cent this year and in their top 10 toll plazas, the figure has reached between 40 and 58 per cent.


FULL STORY:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Features/20021117102312/Article/

[jeffooi]

THE SUNDAY STAR
Sunday, November 17, 2002

<FONT SIZE="+1">Which tech should we tag on?</FONT>

Come Jan 1, the many different electronic tags used for toll payment will disappear, to be replaced by the Touch ‘n Go. While the move towards a uniform tag has been greeted positively, the decision to pick that particular system has raised some controversy. LEONG SHEN-LI reports


...Of the country’s 16 expressway concessions, 11 are found in the Klang Valley.

Of these, nine (there are also two outside the Klang Valley) have installed some form of electronic toll collection (ETC) system, allowing commuters to drive comfortably through dedicated lanes and skip the long queues of people paying in cash.

While this was greatly welcomed, the strange thing was that not one but five different systems emerged to serve this purpose.

The five can be divided into three general groups in terms of compatibility; the Touch ‘n Go and SmartTag in one group, Fastrak and Express Tag in another, and Saga Tag in the third.


...Besides the convenience of having one card for all toll payments, a common card can also help reduce congestion at toll plazas because more people will opt to pay toll electronically rather than cash. Industrial sources put current usage at a low 25% of all toll transactions.

The fact that wider applicability encourages greater usage is actually proven by the Touch ‘n Go. Reports put the number of cards in circulation at close to two million, compared to 150,000 Smart Tags, 180,000 Fastrak tags, and 30,000 Saga Tags.

It is because of this strong presence that its promoter, Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of United Engineers (M) Bhd, believes that the government’s decision is logical and right.

“We are already on 95% of all toll expressways in terms of kilometres, and around two million people hold our cards. Picking another system would be at a tremendous cost to everyone,” its chief operating officer, Swinder Grewal, says.

However, some players in the industry – especially toll operators who are not with Touch ‘n Go – as well as road users do not feel as enthusiastic over the choice.

Users fear that they are going to be trapped with an inefficient operator, pointing to past incidents, like the problem-stricken auto-reload facility, as proof.

“Consumers should also realise that once a monopoly is established, a system provider may force users to constantly buy new devices in the name of system upgrades. That may not come cheap,” says a transport consultant.

As for the expressway concessionaires, the main stumbling block is what they deem to be the “tremendously unfavourable business terms” for them to opt for Touch ‘n Go.


... While concessionaries may not be able to pass these costs on to users, as toll rates are fixed by the government, he says there are ways for them to do so, such as by charging more for equipment, or imposing fees for top-ups. Operators could even ask for their concession period to be extended.

Another area of concern is the type of technology Touch ‘n Go uses. ETC literature shows that there are already moves towards adopting microwave technology as the world’s standard.

“With Touch ‘n Go and SmartTag, Malaysia will probably be the only country in the world to adopt infra-red technology,” says an intelligent transport systems (ITS) expert, who also requested anonymity.

He points out that Austria, the home country of the system supplier, as well as the rest of Europe had decided several years ago to drop infrared technology from the European standardisation process. Other countries like Japan, United States and Australia have followed suit.

Not wishing to say which of the two is technologically better, he nevertheless cautions the adoption of an “extremely proprietary system (where there is only one company supplying the technology)”.

“We could be held by the neck by that supplier,” he says.


...The current fragmentation of the market and its resulting confusion, the ITS expert says, stems from the lack of standards and strong regulation from the very beginning. Concession agreements require toll operators to install ETC systems, but do not say what kind of system to use, virtually giving foreign suppliers a free hand to sell their different systems here.

“You have to remember that all non-Touch ‘n Go systems were approved by the Malaysian Highway Authority. As concession agreements do not state anything about switching systems, there could be legal implications to the announcement,” he adds.

Like all businessmen, toll operators want the “best system” to emerge without any extraneous influence, although (Rangkaian Segar's chief operating officer) Swinder Grewal argues that after five years of the various systems fighting it out in the market, a clear winner is already apparent.

As a compromise, operators say they are willing to have parallel systems, with Touch ‘n Go and their own systems existing side by side, but subject to “better terms” for adopting the Touch ‘n Go.

Another option is to wait for the Malaysian Electronic Payment System Sdn Bhd’s MEPS Cash card. In a statement, MEPS has said its electronic purse (or e-purse) can be used for transportation transactions.

“In the long run, MEPS is confident that all sectors (including the transport sector) will accept MEPS Cash as it can cater for universal electronic purse applications,” it adds.

Some have also called for Rangkaian Segar to open up to joint shareholding, making it just like MEPS, which is jointly owned by all banks. This may remove a lot of the mistrust and transparency concerns.

Finally, should there be no change in the government’s policy, operators hope that those supplying the Touch ‘n Go system will be asked to review their supposed unfavourable terms.

“Making money is part of doing business. However, what they are insisting on is something else,” one of them says.


FULL STORY:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/11/17/focus/lretc1&sec=focus

[satish]

At a time when we want to call ourself "Malaysia
Bolih", we are going backwards where Toll collection are concerned!

All that is required now is for all the Toll
Collectors be given some computer conversion
software, whereby the toll data, be it touch n go/
fastrack/litrack nn so forth can be still used
for capturing the data nn to transmit it to Rangkaian Segar Date Server.
This way, all the Toll collectors are happy,
we are happy nn I think Rankaian Segar will be
Happy.

I wonder why this was not thought of before?
Unless we do not want to stride ahead in
technolgy advancement?

If only one type of card is authorised, it might appear to be a case of the monopoly game being played again.

Rgds

[edteam]

THE STAR
Wednesday, November 20, 2002

<FONT SIZE="+1">Bankcard has varied functions, says MEPS</FONT>
By LEONG SHEN-LI

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Electronic Payment System (MEPS) has joined in the current controversy over the Touch ‘n Go card, saying that its soon-to-be-launched Bankcard will also be used for transportation transactions.

In a statement to The Star, MEPS said it expected its new payment multipurpose card (PMPC) to be more popular than the other tags and cards currently in use because it could be used in more areas than just the transport sector.

Using the card’s electronic purse, or e-purse facility, holders would be able to use it to pay toll, bus fares, and other transport-related transactions, it said.

MEPS, said the card, which would be available within the first quarter of next year, would also replace all magnetic strip automatic teller machine cards as well as act as a replacement for cash in retail transactions.

It said for toll payments, its card would be used with a tag, allowing drivers to just drive through toll plazas without having to wind down their windows.

“The MEPS system for the toll payment will be very cost-effective and advanced in function,” the statement added.

It said the tag would be similar in function to those currently in the market, but would be much more affordable and convenient to use.

“It will be easy to reload the card at banks, automatic teller machines or toll plazas. They would also be able to choose to reload directly from their bank account,” it added.

MEPS’ statement comes after the recent announcement by Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who said the Government had decided to make Touch ‘n Go the only form of electronic toll collection (ETC) for all privatised expressways in the country.

He said expressway concessionaires who already had their own ETC systems would have to convert to the Touch ‘n Go system. Otherwise, they would only be allowed to collect toll in cash.

On this, MEPS said: “Transport is just one of the many applications that MEPS is gearing for. With multi-sectors to cater for, MEPS’ infrastructure requires more time to be put in place.

“During the system build-up period, there may be certain industries which may have decided to move with its own plan to cover its needs for the moment.”

It added that in the long run, when the infrastructure was completed, MEPS was “confident that all sectors would accept MEPS Cash as it can cater for universal electronic purse applications.”

“MEPS is in a unique position as all the 10 anchor banks as well as two Islamic banks are share-holders with immediate customers,” it said.

MEPS said the pricing of its system would be fair as the 12 banks would compete among themselves, as well as with other non-bank players.

“Despite the need for competition, there should only be one national electronic purse scheme operator in the country to ensure effective and efficient clearing and settlement,” it added.


SOURCE:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/11/20/nation/lrmeps18&sec=nation

[CH]

I have a big pie, it is nice and juicy, how many slice I can cut to make sure everyone is happy ? Or should I say, how to make everybody is happy with the way the pie being distributed?!:D

[satish]

Another thing,

They say T n G Csrd is usable for other
transactions, like parking..Ever been to Subang
Parade?
They accecpt T n G Card for parking but it
deducts RM2.20 per visit, when u only pay RM2.00
if paying by cash. Thats 10% easy profit.

If thats the case, I do not see the average guy
using it for other transactions, when one is paying more.

Even when buying items with credit cards at
established shops, we do not pay more than the price listed. The shops pay the credit cards the
commission, not the buyer.

My RM00.02 comments

[pcyeoh]

Hey Satish, what you just commented is worth more than 2 sens to me. It is worth 20 sens I may say. I don't remember Subang Parade Management mention about the 20 sens surcharge. If they have not, then it is most unfair. What I heard is that Rangkaian Segar charges RM X,XXX per month per lane for Toll operator should they chose to implement TnG not forgetting that the advance payment also go to them as "interest free loan." On top of that the operator bears all cost of erection (pun included but enjoyed by Rangkaian Segar) and maintenance of the infrastructure.

[jeffooi]

NEW STRAITS TIMES
Thursday, November 21, 2002

<font size="+1">It's Touch'N'Go or no go...</font>
M. K. Megan

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21: Highway concessionaires have to switch to the Touch'N'Go system and no appeal will be entertained, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today.

He said several of the operators had appealed to him to allow them to use their existing systems.

"Some of them say they were selling the system to other highway operators and some others had said they had invested a lot, up to RM15 million, in buying the equipment.

"Those who said they have invested a lot of money in buying the equipment, they need not change the equipment. It only needs a little reprogramming and some adjustments.

Samy Vellu said the Government had to consider the trouble motorists had to go through by having several cards.

"Therefore I have told them the Government had decided on one card and all have to follow," he said at the Parliament lobby today.

He said the concessionaires were also unhappy with the 3.5 per cent commission charged by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd, the operators of Tounch'N'Go, as service charge for collecting and transacting the money.

"We are in the midst of discussion to come to a more acceptable figure.

Samy Vellu said all the problems must be ironed out before Jan 1. "However we would give some of them some time before implementing the single card system," he said, adding that the Government cannot be harsh with the concessionaires.

At present, nine of the 15 concessionaires are already using Touch'N'Go system.


SOURCE:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Frontpage/20021121145400/Article/

[satish]

PCY,

When u enter basement parking at S Parade,
there will be a sign that says.. T n G cards can
be used..Rate is RM2.20..SParade rate is RM2.00
only..thats where the 10% profit goes to R Segar.

Hope u see the sign during yr next visit to SParade

CHeers!

[achee]

Achee would like to relate the initial meetings between all highway concession holders back in 1997 with LLM and JKR where Samy was chairman.

The initial discussion on ETC went on quite well trying to decide how one system can be created and all concessionaires can have a fair share; considering the pre-paid collection will be able to generate high interest.

A lot of smart valuable ideas came from fellow concessionaires on how the ETC to be handled, and how shares to be distributed among concessionaires, who will become stake holders. It was somewhere then Rangkaian Segar was introduced. Not knowing what was in actual ideas, discussion upon discussion was carried out(without Samy) and the day came when everyone was ready to trash it out to Samy.

That meeting/presentation last no longer than 5 minutes and Samy walked out of the room, refuse to hear any ideas not relating to Rangkaian Segar. Everyone was puzzled......only to know later that the introduction made on Rangkaian Segar was actually an untimatum. Rangkaian Segar .... and no others.

WOW....Samy was furious that day. One can see smoke puffing from his head....

When Achee looked back at what happened in 1997, Achee realise that Samy will ensure Rangkaian Segar will be "THE" company.

Anyway, Achee have not experienced any problem with Touch n Go, just that my car got smashed since I forgot to remove the Smart Tag from its holder.

:confused:

[pcyeoh]

Last week on my way to Penang, I went to top up for my journey. Though I already have the Smart Tag, I casually asked the counter lady "Itu Smart Tag sekarang harga berapa?" And without any hesitation she snubbed back, "RM 220 and tak dak stock" I just couldn't believe my ears. Just a month ago they were promoting it at RM 150.00 but no stock. Now that Sammy has announced that the Touch & Go is the way to go, they did not hesitate to jack up the price back to RM 220 and the stock situation remained unchanged. What kind of business is this? If I am the General Manager of this business, my boss would have asked me to Pack & Go. But maybe that lady has something up her sleeves.......... I think it is her sari. When the stock arrives, she may increase the price to RM 299.00. In this Bolehland, it is a touch and go situation.

[satish]

Calculation wise,

Reported amount of T n G cards in circulation:

2,000,000

180,000 Fastrack Tags

30,000 Sagatags

It can be seen that RSegar stand to gain the most.

As T n G cards must maintain a minimum of RM50
for autoreload, 2,000,000 X RM50.00=RM100,000,000
cash float at any one time!
Of course, this is assuming that every one goes
for autoreload facility!

I wud not mind going into this TnG card business,
when we take into account that each card can be
manufactured under RM2.00!

My coins....