From 1 June 2024, commuters will no longer be able to use non-SimplyGo EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards.
Confused about what SimplyGo is?
Here are ten facts you should know about the system we all have to use by 1 June 2024.
1. SimplyGo was introduced in 2019.
Even before 2024, you’ve probably seen numerous advertisements at bus stops and MRT stations advertising SimplyGo.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) introduced SimplyGo in 2019.
It was created to upgrade commuters’ experiences.
Nowadays, everything has an app.
SimplyGo was designed to allow cardholders to check their fare history and top up their card balance via a mobile app.
With SimplyGo, commuters no longer need to go to ticketing machines to top up their card balance.
2. SimplyGo is one of three versions of EZ-Link Cards.
Most people aren’t aware that over the years, there have been three versions of EZ-Link cards.
In 2002, the FeliCa card was introduced.
In 2009, it was upgraded to the CEPAS card, which uses near-field communication (NFC) technology.
NFC technology is used by many phones.
Here’s the catch.
With NFC technology, the amount of money an EZ-Link card has is stored in the card.
However, with SimplyGo, the card balance is stored in the cloud instead.
Of course, nobody realised that these changes occurred over the years.
The logos at the back of your EZ-Link card show you what kind of card you’re using.
But let’s face it, nobody takes a good look at their cards anyway.
Therefore, you may have been using a SimplyGo card without knowing it.
Here’s a handy video if you want to find out more:
3. There are many ways to determine if your EZ-Link card is under SimplyGo.
Besides checking the logos at the back of your EZ-Link card, there are other ways to ensure that your card is on SimplyGo.
For instance, you can use the EZ-Link mobile or SimplyGo app to check if your card has the SimplyGo logo.
You can also look for the logo when topping up your card at ticketing machines.
In addition, you can check if your card is under SimplyGo by using the SimplyGo portal.
Another way to figure this out is to check if the text “SimplyGo” appears when tapping in and out at fare gates and bus readers.
Here’s a summary:
4. SimplyGo allows users to use their phones to pay for public transport.
With SimplyGo, commuters can pay their transport fees by scanning their mobile phones or smartwatches.
The fare is automatically deducted from their linked mobile wallets or contactless bank cards.
This system makes it much more convenient to use public transport.
SimplyGo allows commuters to use ApplePay, SamsungPay, or GooglePay to make these transactions.
5. Commuters using SimplyGo cannot view their fare deductions at station fare gates and bus readers.
This is a change that is causing some hoo-ha among Singaporeans.
However, there’s a reason why we will no longer be able to see our fare deductions and card balance at station fare gates and bus readers when using SimplyGo.
SimplyGo is an Account-Based Ticketing system, which means that SimplyGo transactions are processed backend.
If that doesn’t make sense, think about how credit and debit card transactions work.
SimplyGo, as an Account-Based Ticketing system, allows e-wallets to be used for payment.
However, it is this same system that causes us to be unable to view our fare deductions and card balances when tapping in and out of the station gantry.
Thus, LTA has encouraged commuters to download the SimplyGo app to view their fare transactions and travel history.
6. About two-thirds of the population use SimplyGo or contactless bank cards.
According to LTA, about two in three adult fare transactions on public transport are done via SimplyGo EZ-Link or bank cards.
It was also reported that in December 2023, about 2,600,000 adult fare transactions were done on SimplyGo daily.
This dramatically contrasts the 1,500,000 similar transactions made using non-SimplyGo EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards.
So yes, SimplyGo is really popular.
One of the reasons why LTA is phasing out non-SimplyGo EZ-Link cards is the increased adoption of SimplyGo payment methods.
The other reason for the move is that the legacy card-based ticketing system for adult commuters is nearing the end of its operational lifespan.
Thus, LTA decided that it was a good time for a change.
7. SimplyGo has a family account feature that allows users to link seven cards to one account.
The feature was introduced in February 2023.
Notably, the person who creates the family account automatically becomes its administrator.
The administrator can invite up to six other SimplyGo EZ-Link or SimplyGo concession card holders to join as dependents.
This means that seven cards can be linked to one account.
Before this feature was rolled out, though more than one card could be added to a personal account, each card could be linked to only one account.
The account administrator can view transaction records of linked cards and see where each card was used.
Thus, this is a handy feature that caters to caregivers of people with dementia.
When the feature was introduced, EZ-Link chief executive Nicholas Lee commented, “By introducing the family account, we hope to make the seemingly small yet essential task of managing families’ daily expenses and travel more efficient and enjoyable for everyone.”
8. NETS FlashPay cards cannot be upgraded to SimplyGo.
Sadly, NETS FlashPay cards cannot be upgraded to SimplyGo.
Those who use NETS FlashPay cards for public transport can exchange their card for a NETS prepaid card, free-of-charge.
This transaction can be done at SimplyGo Ticket Offices of Ticketing Service Centres from 19 January to 18 July.
However, the balance in the NETS FlashPay card will not be transferred to the NETS prepaid card.
Instead, it will be refunded.
NETS FlashPay card users can approach SimplyGo Ticket Offices or Ticketing Service Centres for a refund on their card balance if they choose to swap to other SimplyGo payment options.
However, NETS FlashPay card users can only seek refunds at the above places till July.
After that, they must approach the NETS customer service centre for a refund.
9. SimplyGo EZ-Link Cards cannot be used to pay for ERP and car-park fees.
Once an EZ-Link card has been upgraded to the SimplyGo system, it cannot be downgraded.
As SimplyGo EZ-Link cards cannot be used for ERP and car-park fees, motorists should not upgrade their EZ-Link cards if they intend to use them for such fares.
Motorists can continue to top up these cards at 7-Eleven outlets, AXS machines, or ATMs.
10. You don’t need to download the SimplyGo app, but you should.
While commuters don’t necessarily need to download the SimplyGo app to travel, they should do so anyway to enjoy the full benefits of the SimplyGo system.
Besides being able to view their fare history and top up their cards remotely, the app also has other benefits.
For instance, app users will receive notifications about their fares and when their card balance is low.
Furthermore, they can block further transactions if they misplace their cards.
If you’re anxious about upgrading your card, don’t fret.
LTA said that service ambassadors will be deployed at MRT, LRT stations and bus interchanges with ticketing machines to assist commuters in upgrading their cards and downloading and using the SimplyGo app.”