People who have visited Singapore are mostly familiar with the ez-link card. Yes, it's the card that you use to ride the public transport, e.g. buses and trains (MRTs). So, here is an important announcement for you: EZ-Link will start issuing new ez-link cards on 29th December 2008. The new card which is built based on the Singapore Standard for Contactless ePurse Application (CEPAS), allows any smart card that complies with the standard to be used with the system and in a wide variety of payment applications.
The new ez-link card looks like this:
Here are some essential things you need to know:
- The new cards are available at all TransitLink ticket offices located at MRT stations and bus interchanges in Singapore, and cost S$15 to purchase. It includes the S$5 card cost and S$10 stored value.
- Holders of old ez-link cards will get new ones in a free one-for-one card exchange exercise from January 2009.
- The new card offers higher e-purse capacity with maximum stored value of S$500.
- The new card eventually can be used at the following locations:
- All public buses, MRT and LRT trains.(Immediately).
- School canteens, printing services, F&B outlets, private buses (1st Quarter 2009).
- 7-Eleven convenience stores, ERP, EPS, SMRT Taxis, NLB library branches and MacDonald's, school bookstores (2nd Quarter 2009).
- F&N Coca-cola vending machines, Singapore Pools and hospitals (3rd Quarter 2009).
- Unlike the old ez-link card, the new card does not have the S$3 travel deposit. Therefore, commuters should ensure they have sufficient value in their cards, i.e. S$3, before starting their journey.
More information:
