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As soon as, I belatedly realised I didn’t come up with the money for in my Contact ‘n Go (TNG) card. I stood in entrance of the LRT station’s pearly gates that beeped at me, telling me the reality I didn’t need to hear.
As a last-ditch effort, I checked my Contact ‘n Go eWallet (TNG eWallet) app, however I already knew it wouldn’t work. In 2018, TNG added a characteristic whereby customers can verify their card data on the app, however you continue to couldn’t switch cash into the cardboard.
The kiosk line was lengthy and I used to be in a rush, so I ended up forking out money to purchase a person LRT coin that was 30 sen costlier than my typical fare. I consider this is able to be a relatable situation for many customers of public transport.
Then again, for drivers, being caught on the toll gates is irritating and rather more embarrassing. We’ve all seen the reverse of disgrace some automobiles have needed to do, whereas a line of pissed-off drivers makes manner for them.
When the leaks of the Enhanced TNG card that may be topped up by your telephone first dropped, I think about most of us had been excited. At first, that’s.
I used to be just a little aggravated after I discovered I needed to spend RM10 to purchase the brand new card, however not as aggravated as I came upon the cardboard nonetheless isn’t linked with my eWallet steadiness.
So, what does it do?
The Enhanced TNG card does tackle a part of the problem customers have been having, which is to attach the eWallet with the bodily card. However they appear to be doing it in a roundabout kind of manner.
Through the use of Close to Subject Communication (NFC) know-how, the brand new TNG card may be topped up by inserting it towards your telephone for round 5 seconds. It’s pretty easy, however in my view, it may be extra seamless than that.
Why not simply allow us to switch cash into the cardboard in a contactless manner? Or, why not simply hyperlink our eWallet steadiness with the TNG card, eliminating the necessity for a separate, bodily card steadiness and the need to prime up in any respect?
Netizens are asking why the NFC know-how can’t permit us to only use our telephones because the TNG card itself. I might see this making extra sense for public transport terminals, however perhaps not at tolls. Extra cynical commenters motive that it’s as a result of TNG received’t be capable to revenue from a brand new card.
Some netizens additionally prompt the explanation why the brand new card received’t share the identical steadiness because the eWallet is as a result of the cardboard might need connectivity points in additional rural areas.
For instance, if the cardboard requires cellular knowledge or WiFi to attract its funds from the eWallet, climate or different components that disrupt connectivity might imply that the cardboard turns into momentarily unusable.
It could possibly be argued that retaining a separate bodily card steadiness curbs the hazard of a misplaced/stolen TNG card getting used to empty all of your eWallet funds. Nevertheless, this could possibly be simply resolved if a operate that permits you to rapidly deactivate the cardboard upon realising it’s misplaced/stolen is carried out within the eWallet.
“Predecessors” of the Enhanced TNG Card
With some digging, we discovered that TNG really had one thing known as a Zing card within the 2018 period, which featured an auto-reload operate.
To elucidate briefly, the Zing Card is linked to your financial institution’s bank card. From a fast Google search, it looks like CIMB Financial institution, Maybank, and Hong Leong Financial institution carry it.
Relying on the financial institution, the cardboard will auto-reload as soon as it falls below a specific amount. But it surely prices an automated reload price (RM1.50 at CIMB, RM2 at Maybank, RM0.50 at Hong Leong Financial institution) which isn’t very fascinating.
CIMB has stopped issuing the Zing Card since final yr, although I’m unsure in regards to the different banks.
Additionally again in 2018, there was one other try to permit customers to prime up their playing cards utilizing the eWallet.
SoyaCincau highlighted the inconveniences of that characteristic, detailing the way you wanted to go to Pickup System places after you transferred your cash. And solely two of such places existed within the nation then, thoughts you. (It goes with out saying that the plan rapidly failed, and TNG rolled it again.)
The purpose is that folks have been making an attempt to make TNG playing cards extra seamless and environment friendly for a really very long time. Topping up nonetheless stays a trouble, regardless that it’s now being simplified to placing a card towards your telephone.
I don’t assume I’m alone on this opinion after I say TNG ought to cease releasing these seemingly half-hearted makes an attempt and as an alternative come out with a stable resolution that confronts the priority at its core.
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TNG hasn’t rolled out the replace on the app but, although the brand new card can already be bought for RM10 on the Contact ‘n Go Hub in Nu Sentral Mall. Based mostly on the movies TNG uploaded and took down, it’ll in all probability be accessible on-line as nicely, with delivery charges.
Based mostly on the present common reception, it doesn’t appear to be many Malaysians are too excited in regards to the new card. However I can see it being an choice for these whose present TNG playing cards are already expiring.
I don’t assume persons are essentially upset over the RM10 that TNG is charging for the brand new card. What we’re upset about is just not understanding what number of extra “options” TNG may proceed pitching to customers with out addressing our principal criticism, and us, the customers, having to be the guinea pigs of their ongoing R&D.
Contemplating how persons are nonetheless displeased with the Enhanced Contact ‘n Go Card, it’d take one other spherical of updates earlier than there’s a card that meets all expectations. This new card is a step in the correct route, nevertheless it’s simply not one which’s large enough.
- Learn extra articles we’ve written on Contact ‘n Go right here.
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