Make sure you reload your Touch N Go because starting today, there will no longer be any Touch N Go top up facilities at all PLUS toll plazas nationwide!
The announcement was made last Friday by PLUS Malaysia Berhad as an effort to reduce congestion at exit points, as well as to prepare highway customers for a more efficient toll payment system in the near future.
Based on their research, a driver takes up one to three minutes of our precious time when they decide to reload at the toll plaza. Between 1st August 1 to 31st October 2019, a trial closure was conducted for the stretch between Ipoh and Seremba, which saw a reduction of 60% of customers with insufficient balance in their touch N Go cards.
While this move seems to sound like a step in the right direction, many took to social media to voice their displeasure.
One Twitter user pointed out our worst nightmare- being stuck at the toll with insufficient balance and no reload options, causing massive queue and further congested traffic (cue the blaring honks!)
Twitter users have also started the hashtag #MansuhTouchNGo and demanded a better cashless payment system. Some even suggested that Touch N Go should have implemented an online banking option to top up our Touch N Go cards (mindblown…).
Most users however commented on how inefficient and unequipped the customer service and Touch N Go kiosks are and that maybe it’s better to improve these facilities first before we go all out banishing the reload option at toll plazas.
Whatever it is that needs to be ironed out with this whole Touch N Go issue, we hope a more effective and peaceful solution will be drafted soon. In the meantime, PLUS has announced that they are engaging with Touch ‘n Go to ensure all the TNG kiosks are in good working condition at all times.
Currently, there are more than 11,000 reload facilities provided by Touch ‘n Go throughout the country, including ATMs, petrol stations, convenience stores, rest areas and shopping malls, etc. So, make sure you top up your Touch N Go cards before you start your journey!
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
