KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): It will take up to 30 months to implement the open payment system across Prasarana Malaysia Bhd's public transport networks in the Klang Valley and Penang, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
Loke said the open payment system would make transactions more flexible, convenient and efficient for commuters, while advancing the digitalisation of public transport.
The system will support multiple payment channels, including MyDebit, international EMV credit and debit cards, NFC contactless payments, approved e-wallets, and Touch'n Go cards.
The intention to develop the system was announced in October 2023, and initially slated for completion by August 2025.
Bids for the project are still being evaluated, with a decision expected by the end of the year, Loke said.
“The timeline ensures Prasarana's full compliance with internal procurement standard operating procedures to guarantee a transparent, competitive process based on best governance principles that delivers optimum value,” Loke said.
Implementation will be in phases. Thirty percent of Rapid KL rail station gates and equipment will support open payments within 12 months and full network integration within 30 months, while Rapid Bus Klang Valley completion is targeted within 15 months.
Regarding procurement delays, Loke said the process is managed under Prasarana's internal board rather than by his ministry.
“So, in terms of the delay, it is because the first tender was not awarded. So there is a retender process…that takes time as there might be internal issues that the ministry is not involved in and does not interfere...in the tender affairs within Prasarana,” Loke said.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) — another transport provider under the ministry — rolled out its open payment system in the Klang Valley on Nov 1, 2024, through the KTM Integrated Ticketing System (KITS), accepting debit cards, credit cards, e-wallets, QR codes, and mobile payment platforms.
On national road safety, Loke said 6,443 road fatalities were recorded in 2023, with motorcyclists and pillion riders accounting for 66% (4,480) of the total.
Under the Malaysia Road Safety Plan 2022–2030, the government targets a 50% reduction in fatalities by 2030 through measures that focus on motorcyclists, such as improved road designs and dedicated motorcycle lanes.
To curb accidents, the ministry is expanding technology-driven enforcement systems like the Automated Awareness Safety System and Automatic Number Plate Recognition.
Furthermore, enforcement against drink driving, illegal street racing and hit-and-run incidents, as well as legal amendments allowing prosecution before accidents occur, remain a priority alongside encouraging dashcam adoption.
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