PLUS Free complimentary RFID tag in Penang and Kedah
From Wednesday, 22nd July 2020, PLUS Malaysia Berhad’s (PLUS) private passenger vehicles customers from the northern state of Kedah as well as Penangites who commute daily interstate will be able to enjoy smoother driving experience toll to toll from Hutan Kampung all the way to Sungai Dua as all nine closed toll plazas will offer a dedicated RFID lane at both its entry and exit points of each toll plazas.
“Our Northern highway customers will very soon be able to enjoy convenient, swift and safe RFID experience. Aligned to the Government’s directive to move towards Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll highway, the introduction of RFID on closed toll system is a next step to make this goal a reality. The RFID technology allows for faster throughput thus reducing congestion at the toll lanes, which is the primary objective for PLUS adopting it,” affirms Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.
PLUS ushered the New Year with RFID being made available at all its 10 open toll systems (single payment at respective toll plaza) on 1st January 2020 at Jitra, Lunas, Kubang Semang, Penang Bridge, Mambau, Lukut, Kempas, Perling, Lima Kedai and Tanjung Kupang Toll Plazas.
However, plans by PLUS to roll out across its 84 closed toll systems (payment based on distance travelled) on 1st April 2020, had to be deferred due to Covid-19 pandemic which subjected the Country to the Movement Control Order (MCO). Since the implementation of the Recovery MCO, PLUS cautiously planned the progressive reinstatement of RFID implementation.
“Coincidently, its cashless and contactless transaction not only reduces human interaction at the lanes, but also eliminates the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Linked to an e-wallet as the source of funds, the RFID will reduce cases of insufficient card balances that cause hold up at lane. The ability to top up the e-wallet online helps replenish e-wallet balances regularly and negates the human interactions at toll plaza (for insufficient card balances) that increases the risk of Covid-19 transmission,” explains Datuk Azman Ismail.
All Private Passenger vehicles with RFID tags will appreciate the seamless and smooth travel along the northern stretch of the PLUS highway as they pass through the dedicated RFID lanes at the following Toll Plazas from Sungai Dua to Bertam, Sungai Petani Selatan, Sungai Petani Utara, Gurun, Pendang, Alor Setar Selatan, Alor Setar Utara all the way to Hutan Kampung, Kedah.
“We anticipate from the positive uptake of RFID tag from Penangites, our Kedah highway customers will also be eager to register for theirs, especially since Touch ‘n’ Go Sdn Bhd (Touch ‘n Go, current provider of RFID) is giving away 1,500 free RFID tags in a limited time only promotion, and there’s no better reason than now with additional fitment centres available in the northern region,” declares Datuk Azman.
PLUS currently offers complimentary RFID tag, on a first come first serve basis at selected Fitment Centres in Penang and Kedah only (refer the list below) in conjunction with the #JomRFID campaign, especially during the Hutan Kampung-Sungai Dua the public pilot program kick-off.
“We continue to receive highly encouraging take ups from new RFID users across the northern region over the weekend. It’s heartening to note that the collaboration with Touch ‘n Go will lead to a swifter, safer and congestion free experience to our highway customers,” affirms Datuk Azman.
To redeem these complimentary RFID tags, customers would be required to register as a PLUSMiles member and log in to https://jomrfid.plusmiles.com.my and receive a voucher code for redemption, while stocks last. After the full redemption of 1,500 complimentary RFID tags, 500 PLUSMiles reward points for 15,000 users are up for grabs when a customer purchases an RFID tag at RM35 each at the selected Fitment Centres.
The list of the RFID Fitment Centres in Penang and Kedah are as follows:
| NO | TNG RFID FITMENT CENTRE | AREA |
| 1 | Bok Tyre and Battery | Bayan Lepas |
| 2 | BSS Resources Management | Bayan Lepas |
| 3 | Best Tune Auto Workshop | Sungai Jawi |
| 4 | SS Tyre & Motorcraft Enterprise | Georgetown |
| 6 | BH Petrol Jalan Jelutong | Georgetown |
| 6 | Penang Bridge Toll Plaza Customer Service Centre | Seberang Perai |
| 7 | BH Petrol Jalan Baru | Bukit Mertajam |
| 8 | BSS Wealth Consultancy | Sungai Petani |
PLUS and TNG are working closely towards introducing more RFID Mobile Fitment Centres along the PLUS highway especially along the Gurun R&R (Both Bounds) and other key locations soon. By having the RFID tag installed at Fitment Centres, it would enable the RFID tag tested for radio frequency completeness prior to actual toll transactions.
The full list of RFID Fitment Centres available is provided at https://mx.touchngo.com.my/fitment-centres.
Highway customers, while they are encouraged to adopt RFID for their travelling convenience, toll payments via Touch ‘n Go cards and SmartTAGs are still accepted at respective toll plazas until further notice.
