Single ticketing system for public transport by 2019 (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: An integrated ticketing system for all modes of public transportation will be ready by 2019, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said.
The minister in charge of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) said it is an ongoing process, with the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) among the services to have already adopted the system, which would utilise the Touch 'n Go platform.
“The complication now is we must make sure all transport providers are ready (for the system). Because at the moment, not all are.
“We would actually love to apply the system as early as possible. But we target it to be fully completed by 2019,” she told a press conference after attending the 2nd Meeting of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Asia-Pacific Organising Authority Platform, here, yesterday.
Under the system, passengers would no longer need to use different payment methods for different public transportation services, including buses.
It was also understood that the cost to install such a system is quite high with the need for a GPS and other technologies to be fixed into the vehicles, especially buses, in order to determine the fare based on the distance travelled.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had, on July 18, said the government is pushing for a single ticketing system for all rail services by year-end, noting that the KTM Komuter is currently using a different system.
Meanwhile, Nancy has given her thumbs up to an offer made by Maju Holdings to take over PLUS Malaysia Bhd as the highway operator, that would see toll rates remain the same for the next 20 years.
It was reported last week that the company was willing to maintain the rates until the existing concessionaire ends in 2038, saying it was comfortable with the current toll rate.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz had also, on Sunday, lauded the offer, saying the government found it difficult to pay compensation to highway concessionaires.