WTB: Plus SMART TAG

[CS Chua]

Looking for the newer version of smart tag. PM me your price and age of item.

[bslee]

Waited for long long time for someone to sell a used one, never found one, perhaps just unlucky or rarity. In the end, LRT to KL Sentral TnG area service center, buy a new one at Rm120 (warranty 12months). I think its damn useful as you can keep tab on current card amount if family members have own card for personal use.
Was clearly reminded to use a quality alkaline (like Energizer?) battery for least trouble.
Done! and hope it'll serve well.
RM130 option with new TnG card bundled.

[currymee]

I heard the whole road system will be changed to ERP system ala Spore in a few years time and trial is already on a some toll points - hence, I am still holding back and using TnG until then.

[bslee]

Sorry if all off topic but I'm just confused with so many prepaid with TnG facility. TnG from TnG, Rapidpass, Plus card, MyRapid, etc. Your MYKAD also with TnG facility, but have to be very careful with use and DO NOT AND NEVER LOOSE IT for whatever reason!
Last enquired the MYRAPID card is supposed for Bus Monorail,LRT, but at the moment, THEY'RE selling it LRT counters but CANNOT USE FOR BUS fare? WTF???? Still ironing out issues with Rapidbus, so I was told at the counter.
Shiity and confusing system! All with vested interests and confuse rakyat like me who isn't that enthusiastic about too much choice of various cards. Just one card will do. The fare or toll is all the same amount payable, no? Can't they all just streamline everything and minimize confusion or complications?..damn! Its all like we're encouraged to buy some product from a MAFIA MOB supposidely to make life easier!

[CS Chua]

I heard the whole road system will be changed to ERP system ala Spore in a few years time and trial is already on a some toll points - hence, I am still holding back and using TnG until then.

Thanks, was going to buy a new one but better wait and see then.

[macgyver_usj]

I heard the whole road system will be changed to ERP system ala Spore in a few years time and trial is already on a some toll points - hence, I am still holding back and using TnG until then.

When the ERP is in place, maybe they will buy back the Smart Tag from you like what Kesas did in 2004 when they were forced to implement TNG system.

[bslee]

Thanks, was going to buy a new one but better wait and see then.

I waited for a long long time, decided buying one and be done, better than wasting precious expensive petrol lining up at jammed tolls.
All the wasted petrol could have paid up for it long ago.

[CS Chua]

I waited for a long long time, decided buying one and be done, better than wasting precious expensive petrol lining up at jammed tolls.
All the wasted petrol could have paid up for it long ago.

Actually I am quite happy with my TnG but it is getting torn. Anyway there are more lanes for smart tag so might as well get one.

[bslee]

Unsure if they have a replacement FOC policy for worn cards but I know from years ago that my brother insisted on them to replace a warped card, and they didn't relent because they claimed it was own fault to leave it in the car and the heat warped it till damaged.
Doesn't cost very much anyhow to replace it for a new one lah.. I also incurred a loss and had to replace mine at my own cost because it self expired as I didn't use it for more than a year. The TnG facility in MYKAD doesn't expire (still unsure) so far I was once told. TnG insists that the card be used at least once a year to prevent expiry.
BTW, for all info, cards have to check in at entry and check out at exit. If TnG machine is spoilt or something like that, you can't check out, it won't allow to check into the next destination point at entry. It can and must be cleared at main TnG service center.

[fRaNkY]

Last weekend they were giving out free tng cards at Super GT at sepang for every tix.

[CS Chua]

I talked to a friend in Litrak and he thinks it is safe to buy because PLUS will take the lead in any new system so they will accommodate the smart tag users. That makes sense.

[bslee]

I talked to a friend in Litrak and he thinks it is safe to buy because PLUS will take the lead in any new system so they will accommodate the smart tag users. That makes sense.

I think its not exactly right to link the future with PLUS with TnG. They're different entities with T&G existing to prosper from other public transport facilities, not just profiting from PLUS alone.
Anyway, I had thought long and hard about this SmartTag, for so so long, end of the day, fork out RM120 for it, despite thinking many reasons why I shouldn't buy one. I could also lump in and think of countless frivolous and impulsive purchases that defy some logic but did waste money anyhow. That money saved could be used for other beneficial purposes.
Lastly, in life, cannot be so calculative lah!.. we humans ain't perfect! I think we may tend to waste more money changing cell phones.
If there was one big loss I incurred a couple of decades ago was buying a PAGER from Kilat Com, simply because of lack and shortcomings of cell phone coverage at that time. Now that pager thingy is obsolete, defunct and entirely can't be used for anything, except as some technology antique. It was EXPENSIVE! now a total LOSS!
Someone once told me, it can take months to decide to buy a home fridge, but seconds to decide and buy something from the share market!

[currymee]

I think its not exactly right to link the future with PLUS with TnG. They're different entities with T&G existing to prosper from other public transport facilities, not just profiting from PLUS alone.
Anyway, I had thought long and hard about this SmartTag, for so so long, end of the day, fork out RM120 for it, despite thinking many reasons why I shouldn't buy one. I could also lump in and think of countless frivolous and impulsive purchases that defy some logic but did waste money anyhow. That money saved could be used for other beneficial purposes.
Lastly, in life, cannot be so calculative lah!.. we humans ain't perfect! I think we may tend to waste more money changing cell phones.
....

Someone once told me, it can take months to decide to buy a home fridge, but seconds to decide and buy something from the share market!

Hahaha ... BSLee, you have got me CONVINCED alright .... I was just evaluating the cost of Smartag RM120 against the cost of repairing my Wira Power-windows..... Smart tag wins hand down !!!!!!!!!!

[bslee]

Maybe just repair the power window on driver's side 1st, most used one.
Unsure, but if the back door ones are working, its possible to swap the working motors to the front...let the behind remain, IF right there's money to be saved temporarily.
If all oso konk, then its a costly repair.
BTW, the ST will cost Rm120 + LRT fare to n fro KL Sentral. Don't try parking in that area, terrible place and expensive car parking. Unless you have some other place to get that thingy.

[bslee]

So, I'll summarize the Smart Tag.
Pros:
1. Ease of going through tolls. Certainly save petrol and time at jammed tolls. PETROL IS GETTING EXPENSIVE, NO JOKE! JAMM at tolls also defy some logic!... ONLY AT MALAYSIA? and thats quite a reality during peak periods!
2. Can check balance of all your TnG cards, especially if have more than one in family. I can't think of any other checking facility other than TnG equiped counter or points.
3. 12 month warranty if new (one to one replacement if defective within a week or 2, takes longer to repair after this period as told by TnG sales office)
4. Two models seen, one with LCD display, one without. I think the one without LCD is the cheaper one and many were given out FOC as gift, part of promotion, etc.

Cons:
1. Price, could be cheaper but I tend to think its a fair price (yup, Malaysia barang NOT exactly cheap, especially some hi-tech thingys) for some technical sophistication less than the cheapest branded cellphone.
A "great deal" would be RM60? I'm sure it'll be a very very fair offer and many will snap it up. RM120 can look quite steep to many, including me.
2. A bit bulky, which it was a bit more compact.
3. Like other electronics devices, tropical heat inside a car may destroy or make it malfunction. Never leave it in the car if possible.
4. No user testing for main function unless at toll.
5. I suspect battery life is short if using any standard battery and its clearly stated to use quality alkaline battery. Keep a spare if possible.
6. THEFT! Not safe to leave it in car and can be seen from outside. Car break-in at Malaysia is always a possibility, you may incur more loss than anticipated, not just the smart tag.
7. Remove battery if not in use for extended time, battery may leak and destroy the connector, as with other battery operated devices.
8. Last but not least, fear of system obsolescence, you end up with a plastic BRICK!