I've previously suggested to Transport Minister to adopt biometrics verification for ticketing in public transport and to my surprise Touch n' go had come out with e-wallet that function same as BOOST, ALIPAY, WECHAT PAY, and those QR code payment scheme already exist in the market.
Having another e-payment is not a bad thing but to retrieve a QR code from phone with the need to enter 6 digit passcode and trouble of start and browse through the phone in the middle of crowd is not a safe and efficient way to pass through the LRT turnstile. Its relevant is even more doubtful for bus payment when on boarding local bus in Malaysia is nothing reflect civilized society. The conventional plastic card touch'n go is more efficient in this context and for low traffic user the Penang RapidFerry one time paper ticket with QR code printed is more relevant. The RapidFerry ticket costing RM1.20 return is printed on paper and the QR code is scanned by the turnstile. Although one may argue it is not environmental friendly for frequent user but for 4,000 average daily passengers is not a big deal. of course, RapidFerry may use similar debit card payment like RapidCard or Touch n' go card but since it is heavily patronage by tourist thus making no sense to pay deposit for just one time usage.
Business is created to respond to needs and only with that it will be profitable. Unlike government-run business, private business is profit driven and take profitability of shareholders priority whereas a public business may be socially justifiable or an environmental responsible, not necessary economically sensible. however, sometimes we don't see things make any sense of the above thus it may be either is an indirect business lead or may involve corruption or simply not a wise management decision.
Whatever it may be, I think touch n' go e-wallet is parellel with its peers by offering similar service such as buying flight, movies, bill payment and transfer fund. however, to stand out from the crowd it need to have an edge over others. E-wallet as alternative to Touch n' go card payment may be something what its peer not able to duplicate but there's little logic for passenger to make the trouble open their phone, browse for the tab, enter passcode (in public) and wait a few seconds for the code to generate before scan it (electricity consuming) when they can simply get through the turnstile by touching the detector using touchn' go card or token. therefore, in terms of productivity and security there is little chance the e-wallet will be successful as alternative to card.
Security possess a big question when user is required to enter the 6 digit passcode in public. this prone the private information to leak out and e-wallet credit being stolen or hacked. I wish Prasarana do a thorough study before spend money in fancy venture with little probability of success. There's question of money laundry when involve huge sum of financial transaction judging from the pool of ridership Prasarana is having. the Debited money from clients may be use for investment and generate more profit without incur any dividend but it has got to make sense (benefit）to the clients in some form or another (e.g. convenience, cheaper, more secure and less likely to lost), which I think biometric verification may be the answer. Prasarana and Touch n' go should work together shall they want the system to be profitable (marketable).
I'm glad RapidFerry come out with the QR code paper ticket although the turnstile is not properly monitored. I passed through the turnstile without having scan the ticket I brought. What if people get free ride without paying? Isn't it a lost? Probably Malaysia need to consolidate all the card into a universal card system like Japan PASMO or SUICA card. A PASMO card can be use in Tokyo across all types of train and buses as well as others city like Osaka and Kyoto.
The Touch n' go e-Wallet seek to promote its usage for ticketing LRT during the coming National Independence Day celebration by offering free to a few stations (but not all, can commute between the few stations only). I would say it is a good strategy provided all stations is ready and it shall be encrpyted with pre-registered passcode and only retrieve the QR via thumbprint from phone or better still directly use biometric such as thumbprint or face recognition to go through the turnstile.
Nevertheless, I do not discount the fact that Touch n'go e-wallet may be successful in the e-payment sector since it has a good financial backup and political affiliation that add magic to the play. What I wish to remind touch n'go is that the transaction process must be smooth as I have encountered a few glitches such as unable to get transaction across due to technical problem. Incident like this will demotivate client, diverting to use others more efficient service provider.
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