SINGAPORE — Some commuters who got SimplyGo cards between Jan 9 and 22 will now be able to get a new card that uses the old ticketing system. The collection period will be between March 18 and June 30, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Wednesday (Feb 28).

Card collection for eligible commuters will be scheduled based on the last digit of their SimplyGo Ez-link card identification number.

This follows the decision to extend the old ticketing system until at least 2030 rather than fully adopting the SimplyGo system for adult fares as originally planned.

Commuters can obtain the new cards that use the old "card-based ticketing system" at any of the 44 SimplyGo ticket offices available island-wide, LTA said.

"About 290,000 adult cards (SimplyGo Ez-link and Nets Prepaid) and 67,000 concession cards users are eligible to receive new (card-based ticketing) cards," LTA said.

HOW TO COLLECT NEW CARDS

Commuters unsure of their eligibility can check by keying in their 16-digit SimplyGo Ez-link card identification number found on the back of their card via the SimplyGo website.

Eligible commuters will be able to collect their cards on a scheduled date determined by the last digit of their SimplyGo card.

This collection system will be used to ensure a more organised collection process with shorter waiting times, and avoid overcrowding, LTA said.

Commuters unable to collect their cards on the allocated dates may visit a ticket office at a time of their choosing from April 29 to June 30.

Longer queues and waiting times are to be expected during the morning and evening peak hours of 8am to 9.30am and 5pm to 7pm.

Commuters are also reminded to take along their SimplyGo card for verification during card collection, LTA added.

Concession card holders, including seniors, who got their SimplyGo cards on or before Jan 22 will have a replacement card sent to their registered addresses between April 1 and May 31.

"There is sufficient stock of card-based ticketing Ez-link cards and eligible commuters are encouraged to adhere to their allocated collection dates," LTA said.

Commuters who bought the Nets Prepaid card between Jan 9 and 22 will be able to collect a free Nets FlashPay card from April 1 to June 30 at any of the 44 SimplyGo ticket offices.

WHAT LED TO POSTPONEMENT OF SIMPLYGO

SimplyGo was introduced in 2019 by LTA to offer a range of digital ticketing and e-payment options for transit. 

It allows cardholders to view fare history and top-up card balance on-the-go via a mobile application.

The plan to fully adopt the SimplyGo payment system for adult fares by June 1 was announced on Jan 9 by LTA.

However, on Jan 22, a decision was made to postpone the planned change to at least 2030 after LTA said that it would try to iron out concerns raised by commuters.

These included the inability to view the card's balance amount and the fare deducted at card scanners.

Commuters were also concerned about the delays they faced in trying to upgrade their Ez-link cards to SimplyGo-compatible cards during the initial two-week period.

In an apology to the public on Jan 26, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat called the move to phase out EZ-link cards for SimplyGo cards a "judgement error".

LTA had underestimated commuters' "strong preference" to be able to see fare deductions and card balance information at scanners on buses and at MRT fare gates.