Prasarana To Finalise Open Payment System Procurement By Year-End; Full Rollout Could Take Up To 30 Months

Prasarana, the operator of public transport in Malaysia, is nearing completion of the procurement process for its open payment system, with the final decision anticipated by the end of the year, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session, Loke emphasized that the procurement timeline adheres to strict internal procedures, ensuring a transparent and competitive process grounded in the best governance principles.

The delay in awarding the first tender led to a retendering process, which took additional time due to potential internal complications. It is worth noting that the concept of an open payment system dates back to 2023, when Prasarana initiated trials for debit card payments, although the initial launch was postponed. Despite the procurement nearing completion, the full implementation of the open payment system will unfold in stages.

Prasarana has earmarked 30% of Rapid KL's station gates and associated equipment to accommodate open payments within 12 months of the project's initiation. The complete integration of the open payment system across the entire network is projected to be finalized within 30 months. For Rapid Bus services in the Klang Valley, the rollout is expected to take up to 15 months.

Upon successful implementation, the open payment system will facilitate multiple payment methods, encompassing MyDebit cards, EMV-based international credit and debit cards, contactless NFC devices, approved e-wallets, and Touch 'n Go cards. Additionally, QR code ticketing and QR-based payments will be incorporated, along with support for future approved payment mediums.