PUTRAJAYA – Users of the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Highway (MEX) will get to pay toll via digital open payment systems (OPS) such as Visa and debit cards as well as prepaid cards beginning midnight tonight.
The MEX Highway is the first highway in the country to offer a wide range of open system facilities other than Touch ‘n Go as part of the gradual process or pilot stage until September for the OPS implementation for all 12 highways in the peninsula.
“The open payment system will enable the highway users to pay toll using debit or credit cards which provides an alternative payment besides Touch ‘n Go, SmartTag, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags,” said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi today after testing the new system at a toll plaza on the MEX Highway this evening.
A total of six lanes for the open system have been allocated on MEX Highway toll plazas (one lane each per direction) in Salak South, Seri Kembangan, and Putrajaya.
It is learned that users of prepaid cards such as Wise and Aeon are also able to enjoy the OPS facility on MEX.
Nanta said that the OPS pilot stage on MEX was part of the Works Ministry and Highway Authority’s (LLM) initiatives to implement the open system on 12 selected highways in stages starting from this September.
“The implementation involves the MEX Expressway, the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE), the Besraya Highway, the New Pantai Expressway (NPE), the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Expressway (AKLEH), the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal Scheme Expressway (Sprint), Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), SMART Tunnel, Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (Duke), and Penang Bridge,” he said.
Nanta explained that the ministry will provide constant updates on the level of readiness and trial progress carried out in stages by LLM and the highway concession companies.
“The implementation of OPS will be implemented carefully and taking into account various processes which include the technical aspects, security, regulation, and the toll transaction records to ensure the comfort and safety of highway users.
“We would also like to advise highway users to ensure that their debit or credit card balance is sufficient before using it for toll payment,” said the works minister.
“If the transaction using a bank card fails, users can switch to another bank card or Touch ‘n Go.
“LLM has also requested all highway concessionaires involved in the OPS initiative to station staff at the toll lane to provide assistance to users when necessary,” he added. – The Vibes, August 2, 2023
