MOTORISTS URGED TO USE ETC CARDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government is encouraging
more motorists to use the electronic toll collection (ETC) system to smoothen
traffic flow at the toll plazas during peak periods and festivals.

Works Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor said the use of ETC cards like the
Touch 'N Go and smart tag would also help create a cashless society.

The Touch 'n Go or TnG smart card is used by Malaysian toll expressway and
highway operators as the sole electronic payment system (EPS). The credit card
sized smartcard made of plastic with Philips' MIFARE microchip technology
embedded in it.


"We hope eventually all motorists will turn to ETC cards. So far 5.9 million
people are using Touch 'N Go cards nationwide.

"Touch 'N Go card users rose to 3.2 million in 2008 from 2.6 million in
2007," he told reporters after launching the 1Malaysia Touch 'N Go card limited
edition here Friday.

About 150,000 1Malaysia Touch 'N Go cards are on sale in support of the
1Malaysia concept mooted by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.


The cards can be purchased at selected expressway counters and Touch 'N Go
Sdn Bhd counters. Each card, which has a credit value of RM10 (US$1=RM3.5), is
sold at RM10.

Shaziman said one of the reasons why many consumers shun Touch 'n Go cards
was because they dislike the idea of having to make an upfront payment before
they can use the cards.

He suggested that companies taking advantage of the ETC system to do away
with the upfront payments and instead create a system where payments can be
deducted from bank accounts.

On calls to highway concession holders to introduce toll discounts during
festivals, he said PLUS Expressways Berhad (PLUS) had given a positive response.

"Let us wait for the announcement," he added.

-- BERNAMA