Some commuters who switched to SimplyGo can collect an older EZ-Link card from Mar 18 to Jun 30

SINGAPORE: Some commuters who had switched to using SimplyGo EZ-Link cards can soon collect another card that will allow them to see their card balances under the old ticketing system.

This applies to the group of adult commuters who converted to SimplyGo or purchased a SimplyGo EZ-Link card between Jan 9 and Jan 22 - before authorities reversed a decision to phase out the older EZ-Link ticketing system.

These commuters can pick up their EZ-Link card for free from Mar 18 to Jun 30 - depending on their SimplyGo EZ-Link card identification number.

It can be done at any of the SimplyGo ticket offices. 

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the collection details on Wednesday (Feb 28), about a month after rolling back plans to phase out the old system in favour of SimplyGo following complaints.

The older card-based ticketing (CBT) system for adult commuters will now be in place until at least 2030.

For adult commuters who purchased a NETS Prepaid Card between Jan 9 and Jan 22, they can collect a free NETS FlashPay card anytime from Apr 1 to Jun 30.

The NETS FlashPay card comes under the CBT system.

With a CBT card, commuters can see their fare deductions and card balances when they tap out at fare gates and bus card readers. This is currently not possible with SimplyGo cards and was a common gripe among those who were against switching to SimplyGo.

Issuing new CBT cards provides an option for eligible commuters who do not wish to continue using their current SimplyGo card.

COLLECTING A NEW CBT EZ-LINK CARD

Eligible adult commuters who wish to get a new CBT EZ-Link card can check their card collection period, based on the last digit of their 16-digit EZ-Link card identification number, said LTA.

This identification number is found on the back of their current EZ-Link card. The schedule is as follows: 

All commuters must bring their current SimplyGo card for verification during card collection. Even after collecting their new CBT card, they can continue to keep and use their SimplyGo card. 

LTA encouraged commuters to stick to their allotted collection dates to “ensure a more organised collection process with shorter waiting times”, adding that there is “sufficient stock” of CBT EZ-Link cards.

There may, for instance, be longer queues and wait times during the morning and evening peak hours – 8am to 9.30am and 5pm to 7pm. Commuters may wish to visit the ticket office during off-peak hours for a shorter wait time, the authority said.

Those who are unsure about whether they are eligible to collect a new CBT card can find out by entering their EZ-Link card identification number at https://go.gov.sg/eligibilitychecker, or calling the SimplyGo hotline at 1800 2255 663.

COLLECTING A NEW NETS FLASHPAY CARD

The collection schedule is slightly different for cardholders of NETS Prepaid cards. 

From Apr 1 to Jun 30, commuters who purchased a NETS Prepaid card between Jan 9 and Jan 22 can get a free NETS FlashPay card from any ticket office islandwide. 

Similar to CBT EZ-Link cardholders, these commuters can continue to keep and use their existing NETS Prepaid card even after collecting their NETS Flashpay card. They can also request a refund on the remaining balance on their NETS Prepaid card via the NETS app. 

If they are not sure of their eligibility for a new NETS FlashPay card, they can check on the SimplyGo website or call the NETS customer service hotline at 6274 1212. 

CBT CONCESSION CARDS

Concession cardholders who were issued or converted their cards to SimplyGo on or before Jan 22 will also receive a new CBT card. This applies to senior citizen, workfare transport and person with disabilities concession cardholders, as well as adult monthly travel cardholders. 

However, these groups will have their card mailed to their address that is registered with TransitLink. 

This will make it easier for concession cardholders, such as seniors and people with disabilities, to obtain a new card, said LTA.

After receiving their new CBT card, they can choose to either use it or continue with their existing SimplyGo card.

To ensure that each eligible concession cardholder has only one valid concession card, they need to activate their new CBT concession card at any ticket office if they wish to use it, added LTA. 

The process is similar to activating any new concession card. They must bring along their NRIC, as well as existing and new concession cards. Customer service officers at the ticket offices will also help to transfer any remaining value to their new concession cards.

LTA said about 290,000 adult users of SimplyGo EZ-Link and NETS Prepaid cards, as well as 67,000 concession card holders are eligible to receive new CBT cards.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said in January that the government would spend an additional S$40 million to keep the CBT system.

He noted that the authorities had “underestimated” the strong preference of some commuters to be able to view the fare deductions and card balances at station gates and bus card readers.

Despite its shortcomings, account-based ticketing (ABT) cards like SimplyGo have their benefits, Mr Chee said then.

For instance, if a commuter misplaces the card, the balance can be protected because the value is stored in the user's account. "Whereas if they lose a card-based ticketing card, the value stored in the card will be lost," he explained on Jan 26.

Nevertheless, Mr Chee said he has tasked LTA to study ways to improve the user experience for account-based ticketing cards like SimplyGo.

These include possible solutions for such cards to display fare deductions and stored value card balances at fare gates and bus card readers.