The implementation of the open payment toll collection system (SPT), which allows highway users to pay tolls using their debit or credit cards, officially began on Friday (Sept 29) on 11 highways.
The highways are the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Expressway (Akleh), the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE).
Others include the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), Skim Penyuraian Trafik Kuala Lumpur Barat (SPRINT), Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), SMART Tunnel, Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX) and the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE).
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the implementation of the open payment toll collection system would provide new alternatives to existing toll payment methods such as Touch ‘n Go, Smart Tag and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
“Our objective is to provide payment options for users, since previously, there were only one or two systems; sometimes their (Touch’N Go) card balance is not sufficient (for toll payment).
“Road users now have another option, namely the SPT; this is also the first step towards implementing the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) system in the future,” he said after officiating the implementation of the system at the Loke Yew toll plaza on Besraya on Friday.
So far, 12 highways have agreed to implement the open payment toll collection system, he said. However, the implementation of the system on the Penang bridge is expected to begin at the end of this year, to allow the concessionaire to conduct further study on it.
In the meantime, Nanta said discussions are ongoing to expand the implementation of the system on other highways in the country.
The implementation of the open payment toll collection system is part of the MYjalan campaign initiative undertaken by the works ministry, the Malaysian Highway Authority and highway concession companies, to provide convenience to road users.
Meanwhile, MEX, in a statement, said the implementation of the SPT facility would cover all 25 lanes of the expressway’s toll plazas, compared to only six during the previous trial period.
Its chief executive officer Halimi Ibrahim said this is aimed at providing highway users with more toll payment options, in addition to ensuring the smooth flow of traffic at the toll plazas.
Halimi said that MEX would also station its staff at the toll plaza lanes along the expressway to assist motorists whenever necessary. – Bernama