If you drive or take public transports in Malaysia, chances are you would have heard of or own a Touch ‘N Go (TNG) card. It is a physical card that stores money and can be used to pay for highway tolls, parking, train and bus rides.
Dating back to 1997, TNG provides cashless payment services to Malaysians and has been the single operator for contactless payments for highway tolls and public transport until recently, when the government introduced an open payment system on certain highways.
Purchasing Touch ‘n Go Cards
A regular TNG card is available for purchase including to foreigners at locations listed here. The card costs RM10 and lasts for ten years. The expiry date is stated behind the card. You may renew the card when it expires for free at the TNG hub at Nu Sentral Shopping Mall, Kuala Lumpur and have your balance transferred to your new card.
Otherwise, you may purchase a new card at the location listing mentioned earlier and apply for a refund for your balance in the old card here. Do note that this refund service is only available to users who have registered their TNG card via the respective card portal. So, do register your card online here if you have yet to.
Now, users can also purchase the enhanced TNG card here. The enhanced card, which also costs RM10, comes in a gradient pink-lavender colour and enables reload via your TNG e-wallet which means you can top up your card anytime, anywhere.
TNG Digital which is a subsidiary company of TNG provides e-wallet services to Malaysians.
How To Top Up Your Touch ‘n Go Card, And Other Interesting Features
The card has a PayDirect feature which is supported by certain payment terminals. When used on a terminal that supports PayDirect, fares may be deducted from your e-wallet. At terminals that don’t support PayDirect, fares can only be deducted from your card so do ensure that you have enough balance in your card as well. Users can choose to activate or deactivate the PayDirect feature. This card is also available for purchase to Singaporeans and can be delivered to Singapore for a delivery fee of RM25. Purchase is limited to four cards per month.
Do note that stock for TNG cards could run low so it’s best to prepare ahead of time if you plan to travel and need the card. As the cards especially the enhanced versions are in demand, there are scalpers selling enhanced TNG cards online for up to nine times the normal price. There have been scam incidents too whereby people received calls to upgrade their TNG card and were asked for their identification details or fake advertisements offering TNG cards so do check with TNG if you have any doubts.
As for topping up your cards, you may do so here. But some touchpoints do charge a fee for your reloads. Here are locations that do not charge an extra fee. An extra fee of RM0.50 per transaction is charged when you reload at bank ATMs, LRT stations, third-party business stores including petrol stations and convenience stores, and self-service kiosks.
Using Touch ‘n Go: #1) Paying Toll Fees On Highways
After all the purchasing is done, you may now utilise your TNG card for several activities. As mentioned, TNG cards can be used for all tolls in a cashless fashion.
Currently, the government is working on introducing other payment options such as debit or credit card for public transits while 11 highways are already offering debit or credit card payment options.
Before this, TNG is the only cashless payment service provider for tolls and public transports.
There are several options in paying for highway tolls in Malaysia. You may tap your TNG card on the terminal to pass through. You may also use the SmartTAG device by TNG. The physical device is mounted on your windscreen and a TNG card can be placed within the device.
It uses the infrared technology so once you pass the dedicated toll lane for SmartTag users, it would be detected and fees will be deducted from your card without you having to stop and winding down the window to reach the payment terminal. The production of the Smart Tag device has been stopped by TNG but it can still be used on highways.
Alternatively, you can purchase the TNG RFID sticker to pay for tolls as well. The sticker is linked to your TNG e-wallet to allow for payments. There are dedicated lanes for TNG RFID sticker users. Place the sticker on your car and you can pass through without stopping and winding down the window to reach the terminal.
Using Touch ‘n Go: #2) Paying For Parking At Buildings
You can pay parking fees by using your TNG card. You can tap you card on the terminal when entering the building to record the time you enter the place. You may need to meet a certain minimum balance amount in the card in order to use your TNG card for parking.
When driving out of the building, you can tap the card on the terminal and have the parking fees deducted.
Using Touch ‘n Go: #3) Paying For Train And Bus Rides
Pay for bus and train fares with your TNG Card conveniently. Using the TNG card can save you the hassle of preparing for small change, which can be helpful especially when you’re a regular passenger or travelling with several family members. You can also connect your TNG card to your TNG e-Wallet for payments.
The TNG card is accepted by major transit lines for those taking a train ride.
Featured Image Credit: Touch ‘n Go
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