Develop learning app for seniors to benefit from cashless travel
With the drive to go cashless on public transport by 2020, there will be a need to guide one group of Singaporeans who may not be tech-savvy: The elderly.
I am sure that many of them are concerned about how they are going to adapt. One way to get seniors to embrace cashless top-ups is to develop an app that guides the user step by step through the process.
It must be user-friendly and could be introduced at schools and community clubs. Students who master the app’s tutorial could impart this knowledge to their grandparents and even their neighbours. Grassroots volunteers could do likewise for seniors in their neighbourhood.
This would help the elderly with their learning journey as well as help to strengthen family bonds and promote neighbourliness.
Most of our seniors are not working, so every cent counts. Imposing a fee for going cashless would discourage them from adopting this mode of payment (“Why are consumers who go cashless penalised?”; Aug 22).
Such fees should be waived for those aged 60 years and above and even those with special needs. While the Government can initiate cashless schemes, companies such as banks and telcos must play a part as corporate citizens.
They can also encourage their staff to partner volunteers to educate people about the cashless drive.
With a coordinated effort, public transport ambassadors could be stationed at MRT stations and bus interchanges to start guiding the elderly towards cashless top-ups and fulfilling the Smart Nation vision, perhaps ahead of the time frame.
