SINGAPORE — The Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s plan to phase out NETS FlashPay cards and EZ-Link adult cards for public transport payments will be extended beyond its original date of June 1 this year. LTA is extending its existing adult card-based ticketing (CBT) system to operate alongside the SimplyGo system, so adult commuters can continue to use these two cards on public transport.
In a Facebook post on Monday, January 22, Transport Minister Choi Hong Tat addressed the concerns of commuters who wish to continue checking fare deductions and card balances at MRT ticket gates and bus card readers. He said he was aware of it.
“We have discussed your feedback and concerns with the MOT (Ministry of Transport) and LTA. “The decision has been made,” he wrote. post.
“We will spend an additional $40 million to ensure that commuters can continue to use their EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards if they choose.”
In answer to a question by Yahoo Southeast Asia, LTA said an additional $40 million will be spent on hardware maintenance and replacement of card-based systems and will be funded by the government.
Since January 9, more than 100,000 commuters have downloaded the SimplyGo app, and nearly 140,000 adult commuters and discount card users have switched to using SimplyGo, it added.
Adult commuters who have already purchased a SimplyGo EZ-Link card, or converted their EZ-Link card to SimplyGo between January 9th and 22nd, can convert their card to a CBT EZ-Link card for free if they wish. can be exchanged. .
Similarly, rewards cardholders who acquire a SimplyGo-compatible card or convert their card to SimplyGo also have the option to exchange their card for a CBT rewards card for free. Details of the card exchange are expected to be announced by the end of February.
“On behalf of MOT and LTA, we would like to apologize for the delays commuters have experienced while trying to convert their existing EZ Link cards. This could have been avoided with better preparation. “We are working to resolve the issue. We have updated the SimplyGo app and improved the speed of the card conversion process,” Chee said in a Facebook post.
LTA is tasked with finding a solution to display card balances
Mr Chee said he had also tasked LTA to consider ways to enhance the functionality and improve the user experience of the new SimplyGo transport card, an account-based ticketing (ABT) card. In particular, he tasked LTA to find a possible solution for the SimplyGo card to display fare deductions and stored He Value Card balances on his MRT turnstiles and bus cards.
“ABT cards do not store fare or card balance data on the card itself, so it will take a few seconds to retrieve the information from the backend system and display it at the turnstile or bus card reader,” the minister said.
“This will slow down the flow of commuters and lead to long queues, especially during peak hours. Unfortunately, there is currently no technical solution to this.”
Mr Chee said ABT cards such as SimplyGo and bank cards have advantages. For example, if a commuter misplaces her registered ABT stored value card, the balance is protected because the value is stored in the user’s account. On the other hand, if you lose your CBT card, the value stored on the card is lost.
“Some people buy ABT stored value cards for their families because they can replenish the value more conveniently using the SimplyGo app. In addition, ABT allows commuters to use their bank cards or mobile wallets. and pay public transport fares,” he added. .
“Over time, ABT cards have grown in popularity. Around 40% of adult commuters now use a bank card or mobile wallet.”
Citizens dissatisfied with phase-out of CBT cards
The public has repeatedly complained about the new SimplyGo system since LTA announced the phasing out of adult EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards on January 9.
One of the main complaints they express is the lack of balance display on MRT ticket gates and bus card readers. This is a feature that exists on older cards in card-based ticketing systems.
In response to Yahoo Southeast Asia on January 12, LTA clarified that the SimplyGo system processes transactions and stores account information on the backend, rather than at MRT turnstiles or bus card readers.
When a user taps their SimplyGo card, it takes a few seconds for fare gates and bus readers to retrieve and display card balance and deduction information from backend systems. Although it is technically possible to display this information directly at the entrance and exit, it would slow down the process and increase queues.
To address this, LTA is encouraging commuters to use the SimplyGo app to check their balances and access other commute-related information. The app offers features such as push notifications for fare alerts, the ability to top up your card, and view travel details for a specified period.
NETS continues to sell FlashPay cards
Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) also announced Monday that it will continue to sell and support NETS FlashPay cards. This decision is in line with LTA’s recent expansion of its existing adult card-based ticketing system, allowing it to operate concurrently with the SimplyGo system.
NETS FlashPay cards are widely popular among commuters, allowing them to access fare information and card balances at MRT and LRT ticket gates and on buses. It can be identified by the NETS FlashPay logo and is available at over 130,000 of his NETS reception points.
Commuters who purchased a NETS prepaid card between January 9 and 22 can choose to exchange their card for a NETS FlashPay card.
“NETS will work with LTA to finalize the replacement process and will update commuters once details are finalized,” it added.
Do you have any story tips? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow Facebook, Instagram, tick tock and twitter.Also check out Southeast Asia, foodand game YouTube channel.