Use of older ez-link cards for public transport to stay until at least 2030

Transport Minister Chee admits push for SimplyGo system was error in judgment

 

 

Adult ez-link cards that are not on the SimplyGo account-based system and Nets FlashPay cards can continue to be used for public transport fare payments until at least 2030, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said.

To keep this card-based ticketing system going for six more years, an estimated $40 million will be needed for new equipment and hardware, as well as maintenance and operating costs, Mr Chee said on Jan 26.

The Government will foot this bill, which means it will not have an impact on bus and train fares, he told reporters in an interview at the Ministry of Transport (MOT) headquarters in Alexandra Road.

On the transition to SimplyGo, which was shelved on Jan 22, Mr Chee said the authorities had underestimated the strong preference among adult passengers to view the fares charged at payment readers, which is not possible with the account-based system.

He apologised to passengers for this error in judgment.

Asked why the card-based system is being extended only till 2030, Mr Chee said: "All IT systems have a certain shelf life. At the end of the shelf life, you will need to decide whether you need to further upgrade and buy new equipment and hardware, or upgrade the operating system." MOT and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) declined to reveal the age of the system.

Mr Chee said the authorities will decide later whether the cardbased system will have to be extended again beyond 2030.