SINGAPORE: The government needs to spend S$40 million (US$30 million) to extend the system supporting adult EZ-Link cards because it runs separately from the system for concession cards, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said on Monday (Feb 5).
While the system for concession cards could continue running, the system for adult EZ-Link cards was due to reach the end of its operational life this year. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will need the money to buy "new hardware and equipment" to allow the system to run until at least 2030.
Mr Chee was responding to over 20 parliamentary questions about the Ministry of Transport's (MOT) decision to pause its full rollout of SimplyGo and the costs involved.
The LTA initially announced on Jan 9 that those using adult EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards would need to switch to the SimplyGo platform by June. Many complained about not being able to see fare deductions and card balances. There were also technical difficulties with the upgrading process for some users.
On Jan 22, LTA said it would spend S$40 million to allow commuters to continue using the older ticketing system.
Mr Chee said that LTA currently runs three systems: SimplyGo, which is an account-based ticketing system, one card-based ticketing (CBT) system for adult EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards, and one CBT system for concession cards. The two card-based systems were developed at different times.
When LTA consulted different groups of commuters to see if they were ready to switch to SimplyGo, seniors said they were not familiar with the SimplyGo app and preferred to continue seeing their fare deductions and card balances.
"Based on this feedback, LTA decided not to shift concession card holders over to SimplyGo and instead retain the concession CBT system for these commuters," said Mr Chee.
The LTA decided that the CBT system for adult commuters could be phased out since around two-thirds of this group were using SimplyGo by December last year. But the announcement last month was met with strong reactions.
"We therefore decided not to proceed with the earlier decision to sunset the CBT system for adult commuters, so that commuters who prefer to have the option of using CBT EZ-Link cards or NETS FlashPay cards to pay for public transport can still do so," said Mr Chee.
He reiterated that the cost of extending the ticketing system will not affect public transport fares.
"We will also find ways to integrate the two CBT systems over time without affecting commuters, and to reduce overall costs where possible," he said.
Mr Chee added that he has asked LTA to improve the features and user experience of SimplyGo, and to find ways to overcome the technical challenge that currently prevents the display of fare deductions and card balances when commuters tap out of an MRT station or a bus.
He said no decision on CBT systems beyond 2030 needs to be made at this point.
"In making the decision subsequently, important factors would include whether we can overcome the current technical limitations of the ABT system, and which system commuters prefer to use."
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While the system for concession cards could continue running, the system for adult EZ-Link cards was due to reach the end of its operational life this year. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will need the money to buy "new hardware and equipment" to allow the system to run until at least 2030.
Mr Chee was responding to over 20 parliamentary questions about the Ministry of Transport's (MOT) decision to pause its full rollout of SimplyGo and the costs involved.
The LTA initially announced on Jan 9 that those using adult EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards would need to switch to the SimplyGo platform by June. Many complained about not being able to see fare deductions and card balances. There were also technical difficulties with the upgrading process for some users.
On Jan 22, LTA said it would spend S$40 million to allow commuters to continue using the older ticketing system.
Mr Chee said that LTA currently runs three systems: SimplyGo, which is an account-based ticketing system, one card-based ticketing (CBT) system for adult EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards, and one CBT system for concession cards. The two card-based systems were developed at different times.
When LTA consulted different groups of commuters to see if they were ready to switch to SimplyGo, seniors said they were not familiar with the SimplyGo app and preferred to continue seeing their fare deductions and card balances.
"Based on this feedback, LTA decided not to shift concession card holders over to SimplyGo and instead retain the concession CBT system for these commuters," said Mr Chee.
The LTA decided that the CBT system for adult commuters could be phased out since around two-thirds of this group were using SimplyGo by December last year. But the announcement last month was met with strong reactions.
"We therefore decided not to proceed with the earlier decision to sunset the CBT system for adult commuters, so that commuters who prefer to have the option of using CBT EZ-Link cards or NETS FlashPay cards to pay for public transport can still do so," said Mr Chee.
He reiterated that the cost of extending the ticketing system will not affect public transport fares.
"We will also find ways to integrate the two CBT systems over time without affecting commuters, and to reduce overall costs where possible," he said.
Mr Chee added that he has asked LTA to improve the features and user experience of SimplyGo, and to find ways to overcome the technical challenge that currently prevents the display of fare deductions and card balances when commuters tap out of an MRT station or a bus.
He said no decision on CBT systems beyond 2030 needs to be made at this point.
"In making the decision subsequently, important factors would include whether we can overcome the current technical limitations of the ABT system, and which system commuters prefer to use."
Continue reading...