On 9 January 2024, it was announced that NETS FlashPay cardholders could visit any SimplyGo Ticket Office to exchange for a NETS Prepaid Card free of charge from 19 January to 18 July.
After all, NETS FlashPay cards will no longer be usable for public transport fares from 1 June 2024.
However, if you’re currently on your way to exchange your NETS FlashPay card, you may want to turn back and go home.
On 18 January, it was announced that the free exchange of NETS FlashPay cards for NETS Prepaid cards has been postponed until further notice.
Exchange Postponed Until Further Notice
The announcement was made at midnight on 18 January as an update to an earlier post on NETS’ Facebook account.
The earlier post announced that NETS would offer a free exchange of NETS FlashPay cards for NETS Prepaid cards starting 19 January.
The update read, “Please be informed that the card exchange service for NETS FlashPay card provided at SimplyGo Ticket Offices is temporarily unavailable until further notice.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The payment firm did not state when the exchange would become available.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, NETS said NETS FlashPay cardholders can continue using their cards for public transport until 1 June.
It did not disclose the reasons behind the delay of the free exchange.
Additionally, the firm did not comment on whether this delay would affect the transition to SimplyGo for NETS FlashPay cardholders who use their card for public transport trips.
The Straits Times also contacted the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for comment.
Initial Announcement
On 9 January, LTA announced that commuters would no longer be able to use non-SimplyGo EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards to pay for public transport fees from 1 June 2024.
Thus, the planned exchange was meant to ease the transition of NETS FlashPay cardholders to SimplyGo, an account-based ticketing platform.
The NETS website also announced the exchange on 9 January.
It noted that the remaining value in the NETS FlashPay card would be refunded during the exchange.
Lawrence Chan, Group CEO of NETS, explained, “This exchange programme is in line with LTA’s move towards account-based ticketing to allow commuters to enjoy a seamless transition.”
He added that alternatively, commuters can use NETS contactless ATM cards for public transport.
The website stressed the benefits of the NETS Prepaid card, including the ability to link it to the SimplyGo app, thus allowing commuters to view transactions remotely.
Furthermore, the NETS Prepaid card can be used by multiple family members, including dependents like domestic helpers and the elderly, thus allowing for easier management of family expenses via the NETS app.
Staff Only Informed of Delay on 19 January Morning
According to The Straits Times, staff were only informed of the delay on the morning of 19 January.
When they visited the SimplyGo ticket office at Tampines MRT station at 8 am on 19 January, a staff member confirmed that the exchange had been postponed until further notice.
From 1 June, NETS FlashPay cards will no longer be accepted for public transport payments.
However, NETS FlashPay cards can still be used for retail payments and motoring expenses.
Notably, NETS Prepaid cards cannot be used for motoring expenses.
Other Hiccups in the SimplyGo Transition Process
Shortly after the switch to SimplyGo was announced, commuters began encountering problems upgrading their EZ-Link cards.
Some experienced failed upgrades, while others experienced a longer-than-expected processing time.
Speaking to Channel News Asia, LTA said that the surge in commuters upgrading their cards at ticketing machines caused the machines to become less responsive.
It also added that the SimplyGo app saw an increase in downloads following the initial announcement on 9 January, resulting in the app lagging.
However, LTA noted that TransitLink had updated the app following the complaints to accommodate the increase in users.
Many netizens also complained about the inability to view fare information at station gates and bus readers with SimplyGo.
Although LTA noted that it is “technically possible” to view fare information, it would “slow down the entry and exit for commuters”.
It added, “Given the large numbers of commuters who are taking MRT and buses, this will lead to longer queues, which is not desirable.”