PLUS Malaysia Berhad has been instructed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to implement Account Based Transaction (ABT), widely known as PayDirect, on its highways, including the North-South Expressway (NSE). This implementation has been a topic of discussion since it was introduced back in 2019.
Despite that, it has yet to be implemented on the network despite repeated assurances. Then, back in February, Touch ’n Go stated that the long-awaited integration was close to approval and that discussions with PLUS were almost concluded.
According to a letter from LLM to PLUS, sighted by Paultan.org, the concessionaire has been instructed to present the progress of the pilot project for the Hutan Kampung–Sungai Dua stretch of the NSE, the Butterworth–Kulim Expressway (BKE), and the Penang Bridge. The highway company was also asked to submit a comprehensive programme for the rollout of ABT across all highways under its management.
Further, it has also been instructed to review its internal reports with LLM by 23 September. Following this, LLM has scheduled a window from 29 September to 3 October to carry out the Test on Completion (TOC) for ABT on the main stretch of the NSE, spanning from Juru in Penang to Skudai in Johor.
The ABT pilot project has already shown encouraging results. It has helped ease congestion along the highways and reduced the frequency of toll payment problems caused by insufficient card balances. Despite these gains, LLM noted that the TOC for the ABT has been delayed.
The latest initiative from LLM is an outcome of the slow progress on ABT matters, which were previously highlighted in a letter issued in February and discussed during a meeting in April. At that meeting, PLUS had agreed to shorten the ABT pilot project period, draw up standard operating procedures (SOPs) as countermeasures to issues raised, and establish clear ‘success criteria’ for the system.
(Source: Paultan.org)
