SINGAPORE: On Friday (6 September), SimplyGo, an account-based ticketing (ABT) system primarily used for public transport, launched a revamped app that enables commuters to top up and activate card-blocking features for older card-based EZ-Link cards through their mobile phones.

The upgraded app offers a more comprehensive experience, integrating transit ticketing and travel card-related services into a single platform.

This move follows the merger of TransitLink and EZ-Link into one entity on 1 Sept.

The updated SimplyGo app provides access to the EZ-Link digital wallet for seamless in-store and online payments, announced SimplyGo.

Additionally, motorists can now use the EZ-Link Motoring service to pay for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and carpark charges using locally-issued Mastercard or Visa cards.

To top up older EZ-Link cards through the app, users must activate Near Field Communication (NFC) on their mobile phones and tap the physical card on the device.

The auto top-up feature, also available in the revamped app, automatically deducts a pre-set amount when the card’s balance drops to $3 upon exiting train gantries or buses.

For lost or misplaced cards, the new card-blocking function can be activated, though it may take up to 48 hours to complete.

SimplyGo emphasized that the revamped app is part of an ongoing effort to consolidate services that were previously split between the EZ-Link and TransitLink SimplyGo apps.

Existing EZ-Link app users do not need to re-register their cards, as their accounts will sync across the new app using their previously registered mobile numbers.

While the older EZ-Link app remains accessible, commuters are encouraged to switch to the upgraded SimplyGo app to access the full range of features.

Enhanced security measures are also in place, allowing only local mobile numbers for account registration, which ensures better fraud management and more accurate refund services.

Tourists and foreigners can use the app in “Guest Mode” to check their card balances.

SimplyGo’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tan Kim Hong, noted that the enhanced app is the company’s first step towards making SimplyGo the go-to platform for public transport commuters, offering a convenient and secure experience.

More features, such as a wayfinding tool for navigating MRT stations and bus interchanges, will be rolled out progressively.

LTA: Voluntary conversion to SimplyGo for MOE School Smart Cards to commence from 7 Sept

In a separate statement, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that from Saturday (7 Sept), students will have the option to convert their student concession cards into SimplyGo school smart cards.

This option will be available to all students from Ministry of Education primary and secondary schools, as well as junior colleges and Millennia Institute.

“This follows feedback from parents and students who expressed a preference for converting their existing Student Smart Cards (SSC) to SimplyGo SSCs, allowing parents to top up their children’s cards remotely via the SimplyGo app,” said the LTA.

The conversion process is free and can be completed at selected ticketing machines across all MRT stations and bus interchanges.

However, those wishing to revert to a non-SimplyGo concession card will need to return their SimplyGo school smart card and purchase a new non-SimplyGo concession card for S$8.10 (US$6).

“With this, all commuters now have the option to convert their travel cards to SimplyGo,” said LTA.

In January, LTA U-turn on SimplyGo transition; Transport Minister issued apology

SimplyGo’s latest app revamp was announced following the government’s embarrassing reversal in January of its initial plan to transition entirely to SimplyGo and phase out older public transport payment cards, which was met with significant public outcry.

On 9 January, LTA revealed plans to retire the older card-based ticketing system used by EZ-Link and Nets FlashPay cards, in favor of SimplyGo, an account-based system (ABT).

This transition aimed to streamline fare payments by processing transactions on the back end, moving away from the traditional method of storing transaction data on individual cards.

However, the announcement triggered immediate backlash from commuters, who were particularly frustrated by the inability to view fare deductions and balances directly on the cards.

In response to the public dissatisfaction, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat announced on 22 January that the government would invest an additional S$40 million to extend the lifespan of the card-based ticketing system, allowing passengers to continue using older payment cards until at least 2030.

Minister Chee publicly apologised for the government’s decision, admitting that the LTA had underestimated the strong preference many commuters had for the existing system.

In the latest Certificate of Entitlement (COE) tender on 4 September, prices across all five categories rose, with the premium for smaller, less powerful cars reaching a 2024 record of S$96,490. This marks a 2.8 per cent increase from the previous tender’s S$93,900 for Category A COEs, which cover smaller cars and electric vehicles (EVs).

Category B COEs, which are for larger and more powerful cars and EVs, also saw a slight rise of 0.4 per cent, bringing the premium to S$106,300 from S$105,889 in the previous tender.

Meanwhile, Open category COEs (Category E), which can be used for any vehicle type except motorcycles but are generally applied to bigger cars, increased by 0.8 per cent to S$106,901, compared to S$106,001 two weeks ago.

Motorcycle COEs (Category D) saw the steepest rise of 5.3 per cent, climbing from S$9,310 to S$9,801, while the commercial vehicle category (Category C) continued its upward trend with a 2.2 per cent increase to S$74,001, marking its fifth consecutive rise.

COEs are a crucial element of vehicle ownership in Singapore, granting the right to own and use a vehicle for a limited period. These rising premiums reflect the ongoing high demand and limited supply in Singapore’s car market.