RapidKL goes Cashless. There might be problems…

RapidKL has already begun to roll out a cashless payment system that requires users to have a Touch â€˜n Go (TNG) Card, preloaded before riding their buses.

It should make commuting easier and faster because people won’t be digging around in their pockets for that 10 sen coin you know was there when you left the house.
(Pic Credit: MyRapid website)

The service began its roll-out in Ampang in mid-April and is scheduled to be live across Klang Valley by the end of May 2019. It sounds good on paper, but here are a few reasons why it might be a bad idea: –

For
the Elderly

This system does not take in to account that the elderly who use Public Transport are not fans of modern and comparatively new technology.

Most of them donâ€™t even want to use a cellphone, forget about some fancy card that replaces their money.

For
Tourists

World Tourism Federation (WTF) research has shown that Tourists in urban destinations rely on PT to get around. Forcing tourists to use a cashless system adds a layer of confusion and which might not make them happy, and unhappy tourists spend less.

For
the Poor

Those living a day-to-day subsistence life will be hardest hit by RapidKLâ€™s system. The poor rely on public transport to get around.

Having even RM20 on-hand is not common among Kuala Lumpur’s homeless community.
(Pic Credit: Institut Onn Ja’afar Facebook page)

They may not be able to afford the minimum required top-up, let alone afford the card itself. Have a look at India, and you can see how their attempts at cashless systems hurt their own people and economy.

Less
Frequent Users

As a rule, Malaysians will drive before they use public transport, and leave their TNG in the car.

Suddenly, you need to carry it around, or buy a second card and remember to keep both loaded. Sure, you could use your IC as a TNG â€“ but you definitely canâ€™t lend it to a friend.

Poorly
maintained infrastructure

Every tried to top up using a top up machine? What about at a store providing the service? Half the time, itâ€™s not possible because of a â€œsystem problem.â€

A familiar sight. Everywhere. All the time.
(Pic Credit: Jerome Lim’s blog “A Long and Winding Road”)

The other half of the time, youâ€™re in a rush and will find yourself stuck with no way to get on the bus. Without the infrastructure to support it, going cashless is not a good idea.

Those are some reasons why a cashless
RapidKL is a bad idea. But what do you all think? Is a cashless system actually
worth it? Let us know what you think on Social Media or in the comments below!

(Featured pic via MyRapid website)