LTA mandates replacement of old transit cards with SimplyGo from 1 June 2024

SINGAPORE – The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that the older EZ-Link cards that lack the SimplyGo logo, along with Nets FlashPay cards, will no longer be accepted as valid payment methods on public buses and trains. This is set to take effect from 1 June 2024.

Passengers are now required to switch to either the SimplyGo EZ-Link card, contactless bank cards, or payment cards linked to their mobile wallets for their daily commute. However, this change does not impact those using concession cards, such as seniors and students.

Post 1st June, the older EZ-Link cards will be restricted to motoring-related payments like Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and parking charges. They will no longer be accepted for retail payments, including supermarket purchases. In contrast, Nets FlashPay cards will continue to be valid for both motoring and retail payments beyond the deadline.

LTA's decision comes as the popularity of the SimplyGo system, introduced in 2019, grows. This system, supporting contactless bank cards such as MasterCard, Visa, and Nets, along with the SimplyGo EZ-Link card, represents two-thirds of adult fare transactions in public transport today. It offers benefits like viewing fare history, mobile top-ups, and security features like blocking lost cards.

"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 1 June 2024," said LTA.

From 19 January to 18 July, commuters can exchange their Nets FlashPay cards for free Nets Prepaid Cards at SimplyGo Ticket Offices across MRT stations and bus interchanges. Nets stated that refunds for the old cards are available at local bank ATMs or their customer service centre in Braddell within a year of the card’s expiry.

The deadline for exchanging older EZ-Link cards without the SimplyGo logo is set for 31 August 2024. These can be exchanged at SimplyGo ticket offices, ticketing service centres, and ticketing machines at rail stations and bus interchanges. From the end of March, EZ-Link will start reminding adult cardholders to switch to SimplyGo during card top-ups.

To facilitate this transition, service ambassadors will be deployed at various stations and interchanges. They will assist commuters in exchanging old cards and in using the SimplyGo app, which allows users to top up cards, receive fare and balance notifications, and block transactions if cards are lost.

Refunds for the remaining value in the two older card systems can be processed at SimplyGo ticket offices and service centres. Post-July 2024, Nets FlashPay cardholders must approach the Nets customer service centre for refunds. Both SimplyGo EZ-Link and Nets Prepaid cards, similar to contactless bank cards, cannot be used for motoring-related payments.

In an effort to encourage the exchange of older EZ-Link cards, EZ-Link has initiated a lucky draw that runs until 31st May 2024. Commuters participating in the exchange are automatically entered into the draw.