Smart Card
As we know, based on Chapter 7 in sub topic of Electronic Payments, we have learnt about smart cards. The Smart Card is a step forward towards a cashless and paperless environment. Although some people refer to stored-value money cards as ‘smart cards’, they are not really the same as smart cards contain a chip which can store a considerable amount of information more than 100 times that a of a stored-value money card.
Furthermore, a true smart card has a tiny computer microprocessor embedded into the plastic card and they are frequently multipurpose that is you can use them as credit card, a debit card, a stored-value money card or a loyalty card. Also, it is programmed to perform various financial and non-financial applications. The Smart Card is expected to have a profound effect on the operations, work practices, customer services and financial systems of an organization. This inevitability would affect our life style and would create a technologically savvy society. Smart Card may be used in an educational or a corporate environment.
The contact-less portion of the Smart Card requires close proximity to a designated antenna. The contactless chip has its own memory are and is MIFARE compliant. Access control or security access allows the Smart Card holders to interface with front-end applications with certain access privileges via smart terminals, workstations and readers/controllers. For example, the applications that use contact-less technology are door access system, time attendance system and Touch N Go system (LRT, Toll, Buses).
Furthermore, a true smart card has a tiny computer microprocessor embedded into the plastic card and they are frequently multipurpose that is you can use them as credit card, a debit card, a stored-value money card or a loyalty card. Also, it is programmed to perform various financial and non-financial applications. The Smart Card is expected to have a profound effect on the operations, work practices, customer services and financial systems of an organization. This inevitability would affect our life style and would create a technologically savvy society. Smart Card may be used in an educational or a corporate environment.
The contact-less portion of the Smart Card requires close proximity to a designated antenna. The contactless chip has its own memory are and is MIFARE compliant. Access control or security access allows the Smart Card holders to interface with front-end applications with certain access privileges via smart terminals, workstations and readers/controllers. For example, the applications that use contact-less technology are door access system, time attendance system and Touch N Go system (LRT, Toll, Buses).
Touch 'n Go Card
Touch ‘n Go card provided by Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd is an electronic purse that may be used as a mode of payment at all highways in Malaysia, major public transportation services in Klang Valley, selected parking sites, and selected retail and food outlets and theme parks. TNGSB uses contactless smartcard technology. The card looks similar to a credit card but it is called a ‘smart card’.
Users may use the card after it has been pre-loaded with electronic money. Each time a user uses the Touch 'n Go card, the electronic card reader will deduct the exact fare from the value stored inside the card. Users can top-up or reload the card with a pre-defined amount to continue using it.
Users may reload the card at provided reload facilities at Touch 'n Go Hubs, Touch 'n Go SPOTs at selected petrol stations, Touch 'n Go Sales Counters and ‘Lorong Tambah Nilai’ at selected highways, selected PETRONAS stations, STAR & PUTRA LRT, KTM Commuter, ATMs at participating banks such as CIMB, Maybank, AmBank, Bank Muamalat, Public Bank and RHB, Cash Deposit Machines at AmBank and Maybank and also third party reload agents. We want to inform that Petrol Stations and other authorized agents are categorized as independent agents. The appointment of these agents is to further expand our reload network, for the convenience of our customers.
User Guide
At Touch ‘n Go Sales Counters / Reload lanes:
At ATMs:
Users may use the card after it has been pre-loaded with electronic money. Each time a user uses the Touch 'n Go card, the electronic card reader will deduct the exact fare from the value stored inside the card. Users can top-up or reload the card with a pre-defined amount to continue using it.
Users may reload the card at provided reload facilities at Touch 'n Go Hubs, Touch 'n Go SPOTs at selected petrol stations, Touch 'n Go Sales Counters and ‘Lorong Tambah Nilai’ at selected highways, selected PETRONAS stations, STAR & PUTRA LRT, KTM Commuter, ATMs at participating banks such as CIMB, Maybank, AmBank, Bank Muamalat, Public Bank and RHB, Cash Deposit Machines at AmBank and Maybank and also third party reload agents. We want to inform that Petrol Stations and other authorized agents are categorized as independent agents. The appointment of these agents is to further expand our reload network, for the convenience of our customers.
User Guide
At Touch ‘n Go Sales Counters / Reload lanes:
- Bring your Touch 'n Go Card to any Touch 'n Go Sales Counter or designated Reload lane.
- Inform the Customer Service Assistant of your required reload amount, for e.g.: RM 10, RM 20, RM 50, RM 100, RM150, RM 200 or RM 500.
- Make your payment, only CASH is accepted except for selected counters.
- Your card will be reloaded and returned immediately.
- Please keep reload receipt for future reference.
At ATMs:
- Bring your Touch 'n Go and ATM cards.
- Follow the instructions on the ATM screen.
- Please keep reload receipt for future reference.
Source : Youtube.com
History of Touch 'n Go
Touch 'n Go was developed by Teras Teknologi Sdn Bhd while the brand and the Real Time Gross Settlement (central clearing house systems) are owned and operated by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd as now known as Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd. The first Touch 'n Go system was installed and used at Jalan Pahang Toll Plaza on 18 March 1997. It was then immediately extended to Jalan Cheras toll plaza and the East-West Link Expressway toll plaza on 15 April 1997. Touch 'N Go toll payment system is fully implemented throughout the 848 km North-South Expressway on 15 November 1998. This was made possible when the service was extended to the northern sections of the highway from Jelapang to Jitra. As such the smart card can be used to pay toll from Kempas in Johor right up to Jitra in Kedah, making it one of the world's longest single stretch of expressway electronic toll payment systems. The official launch was done at the Sungai Dua toll plaza and officiated by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd then chairman, Datuk Dr Ramli Mohamad.
The Touch 'n Go system was implemented in Cityliner Sdn Bhd, one of bus service in Klang Valley somewhere in 2000. Touch 'n Go card users enjoyed discount fare of 10% when it was first introduced. Due to needs to further consolidate company operations and meeting current customer demands at that time as well as operational restructuring exercise, card users have to pay full fare after the new announcement made on 13 November 2003. However the Touch 'n Go card reader system in the stage bus was not well maintained by the bus operator. Card readers often malfunction and no further updated information to replace/upgrading afterward were requested. Another subsidiary of Park May Berhad, City Profile Sdn Bhd, a feeder bus service (service known as Putraline) served for PUTRA LRT was also introduced and the system was successfully implemented until the Rapid KL bus revamp programme took place.
Touch 'n Go facility was also embedded in Buy N Fly loyalty card rewards program for Malaysia Airlines retail arm, Golden Boutiques Sdn Bhd's which was launched in December 1999. The hybrid cards have multifunction on rewards air point, MEPS Cash & Touch 'n Go. However on July 16, 2002, Malaysia Airlines announced that "Buy N Fly" Programee had ceased operations and consolidated its loyalty rewards into one entity; Malaysia Airlines Enrich Frequent Flyer Programme. Buy N Fly cards are no longer issued but active hybrid card users are still able to use them to perform transactions.
The Touch 'n Go system was implemented in Cityliner Sdn Bhd, one of bus service in Klang Valley somewhere in 2000. Touch 'n Go card users enjoyed discount fare of 10% when it was first introduced. Due to needs to further consolidate company operations and meeting current customer demands at that time as well as operational restructuring exercise, card users have to pay full fare after the new announcement made on 13 November 2003. However the Touch 'n Go card reader system in the stage bus was not well maintained by the bus operator. Card readers often malfunction and no further updated information to replace/upgrading afterward were requested. Another subsidiary of Park May Berhad, City Profile Sdn Bhd, a feeder bus service (service known as Putraline) served for PUTRA LRT was also introduced and the system was successfully implemented until the Rapid KL bus revamp programme took place.
Touch 'n Go facility was also embedded in Buy N Fly loyalty card rewards program for Malaysia Airlines retail arm, Golden Boutiques Sdn Bhd's which was launched in December 1999. The hybrid cards have multifunction on rewards air point, MEPS Cash & Touch 'n Go. However on July 16, 2002, Malaysia Airlines announced that "Buy N Fly" Programee had ceased operations and consolidated its loyalty rewards into one entity; Malaysia Airlines Enrich Frequent Flyer Programme. Buy N Fly cards are no longer issued but active hybrid card users are still able to use them to perform transactions.
How Touch 'n Go card Works
There are two guidelines which how to use the Touch ‘n Go card works for usage at tolls and transit which shown by following:
i. Distance-based fare (close system)
ii. Fixed fare (open system)
i. Distance-based fare (close system)
- Please ensure that you have sufficient balance in your Card at all times.
- 'Touch OUT' card at the reader again upon EXIT. Wait for 'beep' sound. Always use the SAME card.
- Fare will be deducted and card balance will be displayed at the Toll Fare Indicator.
- You are not allowed to take transit ticket upon entry and use the Touch 'n Go Card to pay upon exit. If you do so, a maximum fare will be imposed.
- A maximum fare and / or surcharge will be imposed if you do not 'Touch IN' and 'Touch OUT' using the same card.
- Do not make a U-Turn.
- 'Touch IN' card at the reader upon ENTRY. Do not take transit ticket.
ii. Fixed fare (open system)
- Please ensure that you have sufficient balance in your Card at all times.
- Fare will be deducted and Card balance will be displayed at the Toll Fare Indicator/Reader.
- Touch the Card at the reader and wait for "beep" sound.
Source : Youtube.com
Advantages of Touch 'n Go
- One card for all.
- Dedicated toll lanes.
- No need to prepare for exact change.
- No need to wait for attendant to give you the small change.
- No fumbling for cash at the gate/toll.
- Fast and convenient.
- Cannot be cloned.
Disadvantages of Touch 'n Go
- Do not have enough Touch 'n Go lane.
- Card may be stolen or lost.