The open payment system (OPS), which will allow users to pay tolls and public transport fares through debit or credit based transactions, is set to begin its trial next month in September 2023. However, it appears that those using the MEX highway may not need to wait that long, as it has been recently reported that the on-location MyDebit terminals have began accepting payments through the aforementioned methods.
At least two Malaysian users on Twitter stand by this claim, with one of whom – user lalily (@asdfghjkleyli) – shared a screenshot of their successful debit transaction done through the terminal. The other user, Rizal Dahalan (@rizale_dahalan), confirmed this a day after and just recently today, he also shared a photo showing the MyDebit terminal now fully operational. It is unclear whether the device photographed is the same one used by lalily.
Power mex dah boleh guna debit card bayar tol. pic.twitter.com/Rbufq6vqRf
— lalily (@asdfghjkleyli) July 30, 2023
However, according to automotive website Paultan.org, the terminal may only operate at certain hours, as on-location operators at the Salak toll plaza told them that the device will only be active during the daytime and then deactivated at night. Meanwhile, another operator stationed at the Seri Kembangan toll plaza told the publication that activation would be “not so soon.”
So today they activated the debit card payment at Cyberjaya MEX toll (towards KL) pic.twitter.com/F4CME5MA7Y
— Rizal Dahalan (@rizale_dahalan) August 2, 2023
On a related note, other social media users prior to this have also reported spotting MyDebit terminals already set up at other highways in Peninsular Malaysia, namely KESAS and LDP. But unlike those installed on MEX, these have not been activated just yet – at least, as far as we know. Additionally, similar devices have already been installed at various LRT stations along the Kelana Jaya line since 2020, though these too are currently dormant.
Whether or not the upcoming OPS implementation will be the quality-of-life improvement that it promises to be, we’ll only find out next month. On that note, the Malaysian government has yet to provide an exact date for the system’s expected commencement.
(Source: Twitter [1] [2] [3] / Paultan.org)
