Touch ‘n Go card is a smart card with a built-in microchip, so transactions and top-ups can only be done through the card reader. If Touch ‘n Go were to launch the Touch ‘n Go eWallet to top up the Touch ‘n Go card directly, then a new Touch ‘n Go card may need to be launched.
In an interview with The Star earlier this year, Touch ‘n Go Group’s Chief Executive Officer stated that the group would launch the Touch ‘n Go eWallet direct-to-card feature by the end of the year, although there were no details on how this would be implemented at the time.
As a reference, Octopus Card in Hong Kong requires users to use an NFC-enabled mobile phone to top up their Octopus card by placing their card on the back of the phone. This method is equivalent to treating the phone as a card reader.
Therefore, if Touch ‘n Go is also launched as an e-wallet to top up the Touch ‘n Go card, it is believed that this method will also be adopted. Users will need to turn on the phone’s NFC function, place the Touch ‘n Go card on the back of the phone and top up.
