Touch ‘n Go is introducing two major features this year that would benefit most users. This includes the ability to top up physical TNG cards with your eWallet and you won’t have to pay extra charges when paying for parking.
Reload TNG Card via eWallet
In The Star’s interview with Touch ‘n Go’s new CEO, Effendy Shahul Hamid, it was revealed that customers will soon be given an option to purchase Touch ‘n Go cards that can be reloaded directly from their phones using the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. This feature is expected to be rolled out by the end of 2021.
From the looks of it, you will need to replace your existing TNG card. Although there isn’t much info at the moment, there’s a possibility that the reload feature may require a phone with NFC similar to Hong Kong’s Octopus card.
In case you didn’t know, Touch ‘n Go eWallet currently has a PayDirect feature which allows you to pay for toll with your eWallet when you tap your Touch ‘n Go card. By linking your physical TNG card in the app, the toll charges will deducted from your eWallet, instead of using the card’s balance.
For added convenience, you can also enable auto-reload for your eWallet and you won’t have to worry about topping up your card just to pay for tolls. Do note that this is only supported at selected highways and the feature doesn’t top up your physical card balance.
In 2018, Touch ‘n Go did offer the option to reload the TNG card via eWallet but it was badly executed. After paying for the reload in the app, the feature requires you to go to a kiosk to “transfer” the credit to your physical TNG card. At that time, there were only two kiosks in the entire country which makes it the least convenient way to top up. Eventually, the feature was removed after public backlash.
No more parking surcharge
The next major announcement is the waiver of the Touch ‘n Go parking surcharge. For the longest time, motorists have been complaining about paying extra fee for using TNG card for parking. According to Touch ‘n Go, the parking surcharge will be abolished by the first quarter of this year. This is made possible with negotiations with parking operators.
Former Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister, Chong Chieng Jen had previously said that the 10% parking surcharge was inherited from the previous Barisan Nasional government. It was reported that all new parking sites from October 2017 do not impose the 10% surcharge and the fee abolishment will be done in phases when existing contracts with parking operators expire.
50 sen reload surcharge
On the 50 sen surcharge for TNG card reload, Touch ‘n Go says that they do not receive any cut from the extra fee. It clarified that the fee was charged by agents to defray the cost of providing reload service and that means the 50 sen goes directly to the agent that performed the reload for you. Touch ‘n Go has worked closely with various agents to increase the number of outlets that provide card reloads with zero-surcharge model. This include Watsons, Guardian, Caring Pharmacy, Giant and selected Petronas and Shell stations.
[ SOURCE ]
