Paperless ticketing system for RapidKL buses

p/s 1: At last, but it's to late compared to Japan Bus Ticketing System (they was using Bus Card while I've been in Japan on Mac 1999, it's seem we're 12 years left). Hope this is not last development we learn from the Look East program.

p/s 2: What happened to paperless hospital that used more paper rather than normal system hospitals.

RAPIDKL, a subsidiary of Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana), will be introducing a new paperless ticketing system on RapidKL buses which operates on the Touch ‘n Go concept.

The new system will be introduced in stages, starting tomorrow, with the buses plying Putra Perdana, Puchong, Jalan Klang Lama and Subang, and will be fully installed in all buses by March 26.

Prasarana Bus Division group director Datuk Mohamed Hazlan Mohamed Hussain said the new ticketing system was aimed at providing a faster and more efficient public transport service, improving the passengers’ comfort and safety and creating a flexible and integrable payment system.

The ticketing system requires customers to use a Transit Card for fare payment.

The card operates via the Touch ‘n Go e-purse platform.

The purchase of each Transit Card includes a RM2 deposit that is refundable upon return of the card at designated bus hubs.

Passengers can buy and reload the cards in the buses.

On how the system works, Mohamed Hazlan said: “When a passenger swipes the Transit Card on the scanner upon boarding the bus, the maximum fare for the route will be deducted from the card.

“When the passenger alights from the bus, the passenger has to swipe the card again for the actual fare to be deducted, and the balance will be returned into the card.

“The system’s built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) allows for accurate fare deduction based on passenger origin and destination.

“The new ticketing system also accepts normal Touch ‘n Go cards. The Transit Card can also function as a normal Touch ‘n Go card, and is accepted at all Touch ‘n Go service providers, except tolled highways,” he said.

Hence the Transit Card can also be reloaded at ATM machines, convenience stores and other locations with Touch ‘n Go reload facilities.

It is also integrated and can be used for monorail, LRT, and park- and-ride facilities operated under RapidKL.

“The Transit Card allows for multi-boarding (of more than one passenger), but the cardholder is required to inform the bus driver to facilitate this transaction,” said Mohamed Hazlan.

“RapidKL is offering concession cards for primary and secondary school students, senior citizens and the disabled.

“Those who are eligible for concession cards can submit their applications along with their photo ID,” he said.

“The ticketing system will be installed in the 1,090 buses in our fleet as well as the 450 new ones that we have ordered. Each bus is equipped with three card readers.”

Mohamed Hazlan said RapidKL planned to phase out the existing cash payment system when most passengers had migrated to the new ticketing system.

On what happens if a passenger forgets to swipe his card upon alighting from the bus, Mohamed Hazlan said he would lose his balance refund but the card would not be affected.

During the transition phase from Feb 27 to May 31, RapidKL is offering a 20% discount on bus fare, including concession fares.