LTA’s Reversal on SimplyGo Transition Eases Commuters’ Concerns

In the midst of discussing the switch from EZ-link to SimplyGo with my parents, their confusion about the complexities and reasoning behind it became apparent. However, Singapore’s plan to fully embrace SimplyGo for adult public transport fares has hit a speed bump.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has decided to postpone the original June 1 deadline, allocating S$40 million to extend the use of EZ-link cards and Nets FlashPay cards for adult commuters.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat assured the public that this delay is a response to concerns raised by commuters. Just under two weeks after the announcement that non-upgraded Nets FlashPay and EZ-link adult cards would be ineligible for public transport payments from June 1, the LTA made a U-turn, considering the inconvenience faced by commuters.

COMMUTERS’ PLIGHT

The most significant concern was the disruption faced by commuters during the upgrade process. Many were displeased about losing the ability to view their stored-value card balance and fare deduction at fare gates and bus card-readers.

The LTA’s initial announcement had created uncertainty about the duration of this transition, leaving commuters in limbo. However, the recent decision to postpone the full adoption of SimplyGo doesn’t come with a specified time frame.

Image Credits: unslash.com

Acknowledging the challenges faced by commuters, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat issued an apology for the delays experienced during the conversion of existing EZ-link cards. He admitted that better preparation could have avoided these inconveniences.

MOVING FORWARD

In an effort to address these issues, LTA has taken steps to improve the SimplyGo app and expedite the card conversion process. Furthermore, for commuters who recently purchased or converted their old EZ-link cards to SimplyGo, the LTA is offering an exchange for their original card at no cost.

As the authorities work to smooth out the wrinkles in the transition process, commuters hope that a more seamless shift to SimplyGo will happen in the future.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Legacy EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards to be phased out for public transport fares from June 2024

Switch to SimplyGo Banner

Have you seen the news?

Starting from 1 June 2024, you won’t be able to use your old EZ-Link or NETS FlashPay cards to pay for public transportation fares anymore.

Additionally, the old EZ-Link cards also won’t work for retail payments.

But you can still use the NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards for driving-related payments like Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and parking fees.

usage of cards

Image Credits: channelnewsasia.com

The Land Transport Authority is moving everyone over to the SimplyGo system by June 2024 since most people are already using SimplyGo EZ-Link or contactless bank cards.

Apparently, about two-thirds of adult fare payments are with one of those options now. 

But there’s good news for folks like seniors, students, and those with disabilities who are using concession cards as y’all don’t need to change anything.

If you have an old EZ-Link card, you can upgrade it to SimplyGo at any ticket machine, SimplyGo office, or service center.

You can keep using the same card.

To find out if your card is a SimplyGo EZ-Link card, check to see if you can find the SimplyGo logo/text:

SimplyGo logo or text

Image Credits: ezlink.com.sg

Anyway, just in case you need reminders, starting at the end of March, the ticket machines will remind you to upgrade your old EZ-Link card when you add money to it.

For NETS FlashPay users, you have 6 months to swap your card for a FREE NETS Prepaid Card from 19 January to 18 July at SimplyGo locations such as ticket offices or ticketing service centers.

Or you can choose other SimplyGo payment methods like contactless bank cards.

For the stored value left on your old cards, you can either use it for other non-transit payments or get a refund.

To encourage people to upgrade, EZ-Link is doing a lucky draw until 31 May where 1,000 people can each win up to 6 months of FREE transit rides.

EZ-Link lucky draw

Image Credits: ezlink.com.sg

To qualify, you just need to add your SimplyGo EZ-Link card to the SimplyGo app and then make one bus or train ride.

Easy peasy!

Here are the draw dates so may the SimplyGo force be with you:

EZ-Link lucky draw dates

Image Credits: ezlink.com.sg

Even if you’re not joining the lucky draw, it’s still a good idea to download the SimplyGo app to check your trips and add money to your card remotely when you need an urgent top-up.

But if you don’t have the app, you can still check balances and trips at the ticket machines.

Just note that since SimplyGo transactions are like credit/debit cards, you won’t see deductions or balances at station gates or on buses, yeah?

And that’s about all we have for you.

If everything written here has been too much for your fried brain to take in, just take heart that staff will be at stations and interchanges to help people upgrade and provide information on how to download and use the app.

So relax, and breathe 🙂

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OCBC and UOB Mastercard Cardmembers, follow these steps to save up to $15 on your bus and train rides

From today (April 4) onwards, commuters can simply pay for public transport fares with their Mastercard contactless bank cards.

This is part of Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) SimplyGo initiative.

No more top-ups. Simply tap your Mastercard contactless bank cards on the fare reader at the train station gantry or on the bus when boarding and alighting. The fares will be charged and processed to your card account.

You can view your travel expenditure and history by registering for an account on the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal.

Holding a OCBC or UOB Mastercard  Card? Follow these steps to save up to $15 on your bus and train rides.

OCBC

From now till 31 May 2019, receive a 10% rebate when you pay for your transit rides with your OCBC Mastercard! Limited to the first 10,000 registrants. Rebate amount capped at S$10 per registrant.

Click here to register now.

UOB

Tap & goTM with your UOB Mastercard® Card to earn 10 free rides1 (worth S$15) when you spend S$40 on your daily commute in one calendar month.

Here’s how in 2 simple steps:

  1. SMS 10RIDES‹space›8-digits mobile number (registered with UOB for one-time password) to 77862 to register.
    (example: 10RIDES 87654321)
  2. Simply tap your UOB Mastercard Card at the readers to pay for your bus & train rides and get 10 free rides1 (in the form of 20% rebate on your rides, cap at S$15 rebate) with at least S$40 spent in a calendar month. Hurry, limited to the first 10,000 customers.

What’s more, if you are new to Samsung Pay, you can enjoy up to an additional 10 free rides2. Add your UOB Mastercard on Samsung Pay now. Limited to the first 1,000 customers.

For more information, click here.

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