Non-SimplyGo EZ-Link, NETS FlashPay cards not valid for public transport from June
A man going through a gantry at a MRT station in Singapore (Photo: TODAY)
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SINGAPORE: Non-SimplyGo EZ-Link adult cards and NETS FlashPay cards can no longer be used to pay public transport fares from Jun 1, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Tuesday (Jan 9).
The legacy EZ-Link card will also no longer be valid for retail payments. However, along with the NETS FlashPay card, they can continue to be used for motoring-related payments such as Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and parking charges.
“With the growing adoption of SimplyGo payment methods, and the legacy card-based ticketing system for adult commuters nearing the end of its operational lifespan, we are therefore transitioning all adult commuters to the SimplyGo platform by Jun 1, 2024,” said LTA.
LTA said that about two in three adult fare transactions on public transport are currently made using either SimplyGo EZ-Link or bank cards, so most commuters will not be affected by this transition.
Commuters using concession cards, such as seniors, students, Workfare Transport Concession Scheme cardholders, and persons with disabilities, will not be affected.
TRANSITIONING TO SIMPLYGO
Those using the legacy EZ-Link cards can upgrade their existing cards to the SimplyGo system at any ticketing machine, SimplyGo ticket office or ticketing service centre. Commuters can retain their current cards.
Legacy EZ-Link cardholders will also start receiving prompts to upgrade when topping up their cards at ticketing machines starting from end March.
NETSFlashPay cardholders can exchange their card for a free NETS Prepaid Card at SimplyGo ticket offices or ticketing service centres from Jan 19 to Jul 18.
Alternatively, commuters using these cards can opt for other SimplyGo payment options, including contactless bank cards. Their legacy stored value cards can be used for other non-transit payments or be refunded.
To encourage commuters to upgrade their cards to SimplyGo, EZ-Link will run a lucky draw until May 31, where 1,000 eligible participants stand to win up to six months of free public transport travel.
MOBILE APP
After transitioning to SimplyGo, commuters are encouraged to download the SimplyGo mobile application to access its range of services, including the viewing of fare transactions and remote card balance top-ups.
Those without the app can view their travel transactions and card balance at ticketing machines.
"As SimplyGo transactions are processed backend, similar to credit and debit card transactions, commuters using SimplyGo will not be able to view their fare deductions and card balances at station fare gates and bus readers," said LTA.
"Service ambassadors will be deployed at MRT, LRT stations and bus interchanges with ticketing machines to assist commuters to upgrade their cards as well as to assist them to download and use the SimplyGo app."
Additionally, cardholders using adult EZ-Link cards for the purposes of ERP and car park payments can continue to do so without upgrading their cards to SimplyGo, which is currently not compatible with existing In-vehicle Units (IUs), said EZ-Link on Tuesday.
"Customers using the existing EZ-Link Motoring card for ERP and car park payments will not be able to upgrade their cards to SimplyGo. This will ensure that they will continue to enjoy the current benefits and functions of the motoring card," it said.
Cardholders can continue to top up these cards with the EZ-Link app, at 7-Eleven, AXS machines and DBS/POSB and OCBC ATMs.
Meanwhile, NETS FlashPay cardholders can continue using those cards for parking and ERP payments, as well as in-store purchases at NETS acceptance points. NETS Prepaid cards cannot be used for motoring purposes.
