Now that Touch ‘n Go has entered the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) arena – as it was bound to do given its near-monopoly of toll payments – highway concessionaires now have a partner to help implement a barrier-less, high-speed toll collection system. But it won’t be all smooth sailing, as this time around the said concessionaires have the ability to shop around for a solution that works for them.
One highway operator that has decided to go its own way is PLUS Malaysia, which is set to trial its automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system on the North-South Highway this month, using its JustGo app for payments. Now, this obviously begs the question – does this mean there will be multiple competing MLFF toll collection systems? And if so, does that mean us Malaysians will have to download a separate app for each of our country’s numerous highways?
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s have a look at how each system operates. The MLFF solution that Touch ‘n Go is currently piloting on the Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway (LKSA) retains the RFID tags the company currently uses, but adds a new reader and a high-powered antenna from Star Systems International (SSI). This enables the system to read tags more accurately and reliably – addressing the main drawback of the current RFID setup.
This is supported by an ANPR camera and a 3D lidar sensor as a fallback, helping to detect the cars that manage to slip through the cracks. According to SSI, the pilot system – which uses data from a nearby toll plaza for validation – achieved 100% vehicle detection and has read over 99.98% of existing TnG RFID tags.
The biggest advantage of TnG’s system is that it integrates a payment method that already exists – the RFID and eWallet combination that is used for the vast majority of highways here. Customers will not need to get new tags or install a new application, sidestepping the hassle of adopting a new system. However, it remains to be seen if TnG’s solution works as well as it (or at least its partner) claims, given the issues that have dogged the current RFID system for toll payments.
Meanwhile, PLUS’ system only uses ANPR technology and reportedly works with the cameras already installed at its toll booths for surveillance, dispensing with the need for RFID tags, readers and antennas. All that’s required is a legible number plate which, let’s be real, is easier said than done in Malaysia.
The JustGo app is needed to register for the system, but unlike the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app, this is not an electronic wallet in and of itself – users will need to link it with their payment method of their choice, including credit/debit cards and, crucially, the TnG eWallet itself. Both apps feature electronic know your customer (eKYC) technology for account verification, preventing unauthorised transactions.
The method chosen by PLUS requires a bit more effort on the user’s part but should be less costly for the company to implement, as it won’t have to pay for expensive RFID equipment. The ability to use a TnG eWallet as one of the payment methods also eliminates having to keep track of multiple accounts.
Also, PLUS’ ANPR Open Payment Toll System, as it’s so called, is backed by the works ministry, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and other highway concessionaires. Hopefully, this means that it will be a standardised system adopted across all highways, not just the North-South Highway.
We should point out that the ANPR system is currently being trialled with barriers still in place, so it’s unclear if the technology is able to be scaled up to a full-blown MLFF setup with multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic.
Relying solely on number plates for recognition also opens up the system to the possibility of unscrupulous motorists gaming it – witness the recent case of one road user manipulating their plate number to evade numerous fines from AWAS speed cameras, simply by removing a single letter. As for the downside to users, well, it’s yet another app to download…
Which brings us to our main concern – if each of the 33 highway concessionaires choose to implement their own competing MLFF system, does that mean we’ll all have to download 33 separate apps? We certainly hope not, and we expect the government to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.
To be honest, we’re not surprised that TnG and PLUS have decided to go their separate ways, given that the two companies have a history of sparring when it comes to toll payment methods. In 2018, not long after TnG revealed its RFID system, PLUS announced its plan to introduce a competing product – only for TnG parent CIMB to seek an injunction blocking the move, citing a breach of contract. Initially, PLUS said its RFID system did not run afoul of any agreement, but it abandoned the project soon after anyway.
Even now, having eventually adopted TnG’s RFID setup, PLUS is continuing to drag its feet with the implementation of the PayDirect system, which enables toll fares to be deducted directly from a user’s eWallet. Even the works ministry has had to step in, instructing PLUS to enable PayDirect on the North-South Highway by this month. Which MLFF system are you supporting? Let us know in the comments.
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Why this article sounds so berbayar one. No mention of justgo being owned by the whole highway industry. That means justgo will be used across other highways as well, not just plus.
Apologies, I missed out that fact. It’s been added in.
I trust PLUS more than TNG. Sorry
tnG trust deficit because it was controlled for long time by Nazir the brother of former PM MO1.
I want my smart tag system lah, why cant they do that? Singapore also using similar IU and barrierless. Yet TNG wants to force people to use their lousy RFID.
All things Singapore. Doesn’t matter good or not am I right
IMHO, the gov should standardize the technology to use. The toll operator can choose whatever provider they want as long as it is using the standardized technology.
the author didnt delve deep into the toyota fortuner incident. hows it so conincidental that there exists two identical models with same colour and with similar number plate?
ure wrong dude. both r Fortuner but different colour
Plus haram jadah as usual
just installed the apps, and its de@d already lol
Penipu will like the PLUS solution. Just get a handful sets of fake number plate.
I don’t want to see Tng monopoly anymore, PayNet should collaborate with highway company to implement new payment system that is open and non monopoly.
the app started already? i thought still trial phase and only in northern region
actually why TnG system still need RFID sticker if they are using ANPR camera also? sounds like TnG want to make more money out of selling cards, RFIDs, Smarttag readers. PLUS system use ANPR only no need additional sticker or device. Cost free solution for rakyat.
Yeah. Smells like crony project. I mean, i get it 10years ago when the rumour was they want to force rfid into roadtax, but then they got rid of roadtax, and the whole rfid stuff doesn’t make sense at all anymore. ANPR is also a lot more flexible, just like current number plate parking, they can make so that you simply link your plate number to any ewallet/app you want and auto deduct, no need to put money in one app, which is a big lost for tng.
To be honest i trust plus way more then TNG lah
Why is the name “JustGo” by PLUS? Isn’t this trying to mislead the citizens? Not steady lah. How can this be allowed?
why not, thats like advertising x50 x70 by proton when the reality is actually XingYue by Geely.
The brand IS Proton. Owned by Geely as the parent company. PLUS and TNG are not even same companies
TBH I prefer the TNG solution. Basically we don’t have to do anything and it will deduct from ewallet? and double scanner for plate or rfid.
Already got issues with JustGo with single factor authentication for debit to account or wallet. Have to use 2-Factor-Authentication la. All other implementations use this. Otherwise kantoi. OBU & LPR or RFID & LPR. There are 8 million Smartags or Maxtags i.e., OBUs already in circulation. This may be best option since TnG’s RFID already locked with their key, so become exclusive to TnG – not open enough for others to use. Maybe the RFID issued by JPJ for EV cars could be an option. But definitely not TnG RFID.
Downloaded JUSTGO app. Terrible interface. Information is all wrong and when I called their customer service all tak tau tak tau. Close shop la
Touch n GO has been failing to provide efficient for the past 30 plus years. Why should we trust it to do a good job now?
Better PLUS runs its own.so
There is mention of the performance of each system. Which is better or faster? In Dubai, the Salik system does not require motorist to even slow down. How is the performance of each of the system? Does the motorist need to slow down in order for the system to “capture” the required info?
Any system that requires to purchase tags and limits the transferability of the RFID tags is not going to succeed. Most important is that there’s actual payment of the toll regardless of payment method or system. Also, please TnG, make all payment methods FOC rather than to charge certain payment methods with surcharge and all that. Make RFID tags FOC. TnG, you are now a national payment gateway, yet you still want to charge for this and that. I think TnG should be nationalised. Let the rakyet benefit lah.