19-1-2024 (SINGAPORE) The planned exchange of Nets FlashPay cards for Nets Prepaid cards, originally scheduled to begin on January 19 at public transport ticketing offices, has been postponed until further notice. This delay is part of the authorities’ preparation to phase out Nets FlashPay and some adult ez-link cards for public transport fare payments by June, as Singapore transitions to SimplyGo, an account-based ticketing platform for bus and rail trips.
The free exchange service was initially intended to run from January 19 to July 18 at SimplyGo ticket offices located in MRT stations and bus interchanges. However, Nets, the payment firm handling the exchange, announced in a Facebook update at 12 am on January 19 that the card exchange service at SimplyGo ticket offices is temporarily unavailable, without specifying a new date for its availability.
When The Straits Times visited the SimplyGo ticket office at Tampines MRT station on January 19 at 8 am, a staff member informed them that the exchange had been postponed until further notice. The staff had only been informed of the change on the morning of January 19.
The exchange initiative was announced following the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) announcement on January 9 that, starting from June 1, commuters would need to use a Nets Prepaid card, an updated ez-link card compatible with SimplyGo, a contactless bank card, or a credit or debit card added to a mobile wallet to pay for adult bus and train fares. This change does not affect passengers using concession cards such as seniors and students.
In response to queries from The Straits Times on January 19, Nets stated that FlashPay cardholders can continue using their cards for public transport and top them up at ticketing machines until June 1. However, Nets did not provide a reason for the delay or clarify whether it would impact the transition schedule for FlashPay cardholders who use the card for public transport payments.
Once phased out, the Nets FlashPay card will no longer be accepted for public transport payments. However, it will still be usable for shopping and motoring expenses, including carpark and Electronic Road Pricing charges.
