Image Credits - Reuters
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat announced that the push for the full adoption of the SimplyGo payment platform for public transport in Singapore was a “judgment error.” The older ticketing system will continue to be in place until at least 2030, marking a departure from the initial plan to change entirely to the modern payment platform.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Chee Hong Tat revealed that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had “underestimated” the strong preference of some commuters for the traditional ticketing system. The decision to maintain the older system was influenced by the commuters’ desire to view fare deductions and card balances at station gates and bus card readers.
“This was a judgment error on our part, and I apologize to our commuters for what happened. We will learn from this, and we will do better in the future,” Minister Chee explained during an interview on Friday arranged for some media outlets.
SimplyGo, introduced to streamline the payment process for public transport, allows commuters to use contactless payment methods, to pay for their rides. The platform aims to enhance the overall commuting experience by eliminating the need for physical tickets and providing a more convenient and efficient payment option.
Despite the apparent benefits of SimplyGo, Minister Chee acknowledged the importance of balancing technological advancements with the preferences of the diverse commuting population.
The decision to retain the older ticketing system until 2030 reflects the commitment of the government to meeting the varied needs of commuters and ensuring a smooth transition for all segments of the population. The minister also added that the CBT system (Card-based ticketing) for adults until at least 2030, will be in place.
The extended timeline until 2030 allows for a gradual transition, providing ample time for public awareness campaigns and ensuring that commuters are well-informed about the coexistence of both payment systems.
On January 9, the LTA also announced that it designed to phase out the old ticketing system in favour of SimplyGo from June 1, keeping in view that around two-thirds of adult public transport fares were presently paid through SimplyGo EZ-Link cards or bank cards. According to the older CBT system, commuters are allowed to see their fare deductions and card balances at far gates and bus card readers. But in SimplyGo cards they can’t do the same.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Minister Chee asserted, “I apologize on behalf of MOT (the Ministry of Transport) and LTA for the delays commuters experienced when they tried to convert their existing EZ-Link cards. This could have been avoided with better preparation.” He also said that the existing CBT system for adults was heading to the end of its shelf life this year. Also, LTA had to decide whether it would continue with the system or not.
He further added, “However, we realized that this was not in line with what many commuters want. This was not in line with the feedback that many commuters were telling us. We decided we will not proceed with this decision (to sunset the CBT system).”