Gadget and Tech

Expanding Touch’nGo Card Usage

Touch’nGo card can be the next best thing apart from Debit Visa/Mastercard here in Malaysia where it offers a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card that can be used to transfer electronic payments. It was launched in March 1997 and serves as a convenient card for transport payment system (i.e. LRT, bus, tolls, and parking). Eversince it has been in the market for the last 11 years (quiet a long time), but the services offer by this card remains the same – still prioritize on transport payment system. I personally think that Touch’nGo card can widen or expand their usage or application to others such as at convenience stores (7-Eleven, Carrefour Xpress, etc), supermarkets (Giant, Tesco, etc), fast-food restaurants (McD, KFC, BK, etc), on-street parking meters, taxi, vending machines, public phones, and other point-of-sale that requires small change. Just imagine how convenience it would be to live life on a fast-lane. No hassle for small change, less time waiting in line, no need to carry sums of cash, and other minor obstacles.

But offcourse, it needs a better network of retailers. It would be great to have a card (cash debited offcourse!) that is interest-free and no annual fees. My only concern would be in term of security. Unlike Debit Visa/Mastercard like most banks offers (i.e. Ambank-NexG, Affinbank, etc) they are protected by bank’s security system. Meaning that if you lost your card, you can report a stolen card with just one call and immediately the card will be invalid. Hence, whoever found it will not have the access to the card.

However, Touch’nGo card is not design for security reason. . It is designed to give its users a fast, accurate, and zero-hassle payment. Just “tap-and-go” kind a payment. Plus, it is debitted. So you don’t have to worry about debt at the end of the month.

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