Contactless Bank Cards Double Up as Travel Cards with No Need for Upfront Top-Ups. Tap and simply, go. It’s that simple.
Following a successful pilot of the Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) system, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched SimplyGo starting with Mastercard®on 4 April 2019.
SimplyGo enables commuters to use contactless bank cards as their travel card on public transport, removing the need to carry a separate travel card or make any upfront top-ups before travelling. Commuters can easily keep track of their travel expenditure and history by registering for an account on the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal, available online and via the TL SimplyGo mobile app.
For a start, SimplyGo will include all Mastercard contactless bank cards. LTA is working closely with Visa, and expect them to be part of SimplyGo by later this year. Towards the end of the year, commuters without contactless bank cards can also enjoy benefits of SimplyGo, by upgrading their existing travel cards (i.e. Concession Cards, ez-link or NETS FlashPay cards).
Mr Yeo Teck Guan, Senior Group Director, Public Transport, LTA, said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of SimplyGo and the full acceptance of Mastercard on public transport. SimplyGo widens the range of payment options available to commuters. Users will be able to tap in and out with their contactless cards, and also use mobile devices linked to Mastercard[1]. For a smoother experience, we encourage commuters to take out their cards or enable their mobile payment devices before approaching the fare gates.”
With SimplyGo, all Mastercard contactless card users will not need to pre-register their Mastercard for public transport rides. Participants of the pilot started in March 2017 can continue to use the same Mastercard to travel with SimplyGo. Service ambassadors will be deployed at train stations to assist commuters during the initial launch.
No Additional Fees to Use SimplyGo
Commuters who use SimplyGo with contactless bank cards issued locally will be charged the same fares as those who currently use travel cards (i.e. ez-link and NETS FlashPay cards). Charges for public transport rides will be reflected in the commuters’ credit or debit card bills similar to retail transactions.
Avoid Multiple Charges by Taking Out Your Card to Tap
As commuters may carry more than one contactless bank card or travel card with them, they should take out the card they wish to use from their wallet or bag before tapping the card on the fare reader to avoid charges to multiple cards.
TransitLink SimplyGo Portal – A One-stop Solution for Commuters’ Transit Needs
Commuters using SimplyGo can register for a SimplyGo account and link different contactless bank cards on the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal, which is available online and via the TL SimplyGo mobile app. Users of stored value cards (i.e. Concession Cards, ez-link or NETS FlashPay cards) will also be able to enjoy all the benefits of the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal towards the end of the year when they upgrade their existing cards.
With a SimplyGo account, commuters can enjoy the convenient tracking and viewing of their travel expenditure and history on-the-go. Registered users of contactless bank cards can also opt to receive push notifications for fares after each trip is completed using the TL SimplyGo mobile app on their smartphones.
Commuters can access their account at the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal (simplygo.com.sg) or via the TL SimplyGo mobile app which will also offer concession card-related services and transit information. More services will be rolled out progressively on the portal based on commuter needs.
LTA Press Release.
