The use of debit and credit cards as payment methods for Rapid KL’s train services has been in testing for years and more recently, rail operators were directed to expand their cashless payment options. While no timeline was made public then, Transport Minister Anthony Loke has finally revealed when we can expect the change to be implemented.
In parliament today, Loke disclosed that Prasarana is expected to begin infrastructure construction of an open payment system for Rapid KL’s rapid rail network in March 2024. This will take 11 months, with 50% of gantries at each station planned to be able to accept an open payment mode by February 2025. Further down the line, all gantries will be fitted with the new system by August 2025.
The open payment system will accept debit and credit cards as well as Touch n’ Go and the existing tokens, but the minister added that it might enable QR code payments in the next phase of implementation if necessary. Loke said that Prasarana has been working on this system since earlier this year.
As for the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) commuter network, the ticketing system upgrade at 57 KTM stations in Klang Valley is nearly complete. Currently, the new gantries that are already in place only accept Touch n’ Go as well as QR code payments using KTM Wallet, but the system will start accepting debit and credit cards starting mid-November 2023.
(Source: Parlimen [38:12-40:40])
