Eligible SimplyGo users can collect EZ-Link cards showing fares starting 18 March

SINGAPORE: Starting 18 March, some commuters who had transitioned to SimplyGo will have the chance to acquire another card that will allow them to view fares and card balances at station gates and bus card readers, reinstating features of the conventional Card-Based Ticketing (CBT) system.

This initiative comes in response to commuters’ feedback following the decision to transition to the SimplyGo system.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Wednesday (28 Feb) that adult commuters who switched to SimplyGo or obtained SimplyGo EZ-Link cards between 9 January and 22 January will be eligible to receive the new EZ-Link cards.

The collection period extends from 18 March to 30 June, with the specific timeframe determined by the last digit of their 16-digit EZ-Link card identification number.

Collection will be facilitated at any SimplyGo ticket office, where commuters are required to present their current SimplyGo cards for verification.

LTA emphasizes adherence to allocated collection dates to ensure a streamlined process.

New CBT EZ-Link card

Adult commuters eligible to receive 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, LTA said.

This identification number is located on the back of their existing EZ-Link card.

The schedule is as follows:

Source: Land Transport Authority

All commuters are required to present their current SimplyGo card for verification when collecting their new CBT card. Furthermore, even after receiving their new CBT card, they can continue to keep and use their existing SimplyGo card.

The LTA encourages commuters to adhere to their designated collection dates to facilitate an orderly process and minimize waiting times, affirming that an ample supply of CBT EZ-Link cards is available.

However, peak hours, particularly from 8am to 9.30am and 5pm to 7pm, may experience longer queues and wait times.

To mitigate this, commuters are advised to consider visiting the ticket office during off-peak hours for expedited service, the authority said.

Individuals uncertain about their eligibility for collecting a new CBT card can verify their status by inputting their EZ-Link card identification number at https://go.gov.sg/eligibilitychecker or by contacting the SimplyGo hotline at 1800 2255 663.

New Nets Flashpay card

The collection timetable varies slightly for NETS Prepaid cardholders. Between 1 April and 30 June, individuals who purchased a NETS Prepaid card from 9 January to 22 January are eligible to receive a free NETS FlashPay card from any ticket office across the island.

Similar to CBT EZ-Link cardholders, these commuters can retain and utilize their existing NETS Prepaid card even after obtaining their NETS FlashPay card.

Additionally, they have the option to request a refund for any remaining balance on their NETS Prepaid card via the NETS app.

For those unsure of their eligibility for a new NETS FlashPay card, they too can verify their status on the SimplyGo website or by contacting the NETS customer service hotline at 6274 1212.

CBT Concession cards

Concession cardholders, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and workfare transport recipients, will also receive new CBT cards if they transitioned to SimplyGo on or before 22 January.

These cards will be mailed to the address registered with TransitLink, facilitating accessibility.

After receiving their new CBT card, they have the option to either utilize it or continue using their existing SimplyGo card.

LTA said, to ensure that each eligible concession cardholder possesses only one valid concession card, they must activate their new CBT concession card at any ticket office if they opt to use it.

The activation process mirrors that of any new concession card, requiring individuals to present their NRIC along with both their existing and new concession cards.

Customer service personnel at the ticket offices will assist in transferring any remaining value to the new concession cards.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) reported that approximately 290,000 adult SimplyGo users and NETS Prepaid cardholders, in addition to 67,000 concession cardholders, are eligible to receive the new CBT cards.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat had previously acknowledged the unexpected preference among commuters for the traditional CBT system, leading to the decision to retain it until at least 2030.

Despite its shortcomings, Mr Chee highlighted the benefits of account-based ticketing (ABT) cards like SimplyGo.

One advantage he pointed out is that if a commuter misplaces the card, the balance can be safeguarded since 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 26 January.

He also mentioned that he has assigned LTA with the responsibility of investigating methods to enhance the user experience for account-based ticketing cards such as SimplyGo.

These potential improvements involve finding solutions for enabling these cards to show fare deductions and the balance of stored value at fare gates and bus card readers.

The government has allocated an additional S$40 million to sustain the CBT system in response to the public outcry over the proposed phasing out of the CBT cards.