PSA: Exchange your NETS FlashPay card if you're using it for public transport
With the Land Transport Authority no longer accepting legacy stored value cards for public transport fare payment, commuters using old adult EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards will have to find alternatives.
Note: This article was first published on 10 January 2024.
Source: NETS.
The 9 January 2024 announcement from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) decreed that legacy stored value cards will no longer be accepted for public transport fare payments from 1 June 2024 onwards.
It does pose a bit of a problem for commuters who are still using older non-SimplyGo EZ-Link Adult Cards and NETS FlashPay Cards. Thankfully, Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) has rolled out a card exchange programme, starting from 19 January onwards.
NETS FlashPay card exchange programme
While NETS FlashPay Cards and older EZ-Link Adult Cards can still be used until 1 June 2024, the cards will no longer be accepted and can not be topped up at ticketing machines once that deadline passes.
- For Concession Cardholders: Commuters using concession cards, such as seniors, students, Workfare Transport Concession Scheme cardholders and Persons with Disabilities, you will not be affected by this change.
- For old EZ-Link Adult Cardholders: These cards can be upgraded to the SimplyGo system at any ticketing machine, SimplyGo Ticket Office, or Ticketing Service Centre. As such, these existing cards can be retained and used. You may also go to "www.ezlink.com.sg/continue-your-journey/" for an interactive guide on what to do next with your EZ-Link card.
- For NETS FlashPay Cards: Cardholders can visit any of the 44 SimplyGo Ticket Offices to exchange their FlashPay Card for an NETS Prepaid Card. Any existing value in the old card will be refunded, and a free NETS Prepaid Card will be issued.
“We have partnered with TransitLink to offer convenient locations for NETS FlashPay cardholders who wish to exchange their cards for a free NETS Prepaid Card, an account-based card. This exchange programme is in line with LTA’s move towards account-based ticketing to allow commuters to enjoy a seamless transition. Alternatively, they can switch to the NETS contactless ATM card for their transit needs. Cardholders who use NETS FlashPay Card at retail acceptance points or for their motoring needs can still continue to use the card.” said Lawrence Chan, Group CEO of NETS.
What is a NETS Prepaid Card?
We've previously covered the launch of the NETS Prepaid Card here, but a quick summary is that it's a stored value card that stores the data in an affiliated NETS account as compared to storing the data on the card like the NETS FlashPay Card does. This means the NETS Prepaid Card can be managed via the NETS app on a user's phone, making it much easier to top up, monitor transactions and terminate cards if needed.
NETS FlashPay Card (left) NETS Prepaid Card (right) Source: NETS.
If you're unsure whether your card is a NETS FlashPay Card or NETS Prepaid Card, an easy way to tell is by the logo on the bottom right of the card face. If it says NETS FlashPay, then it is a FlashPay card. If it's a NETS Prepaid Card, it will be identifiable via the NETS contactless logo (right image).
Extra notes for Motorists
Both the old EZ-Link Adult Cards and NETS FlashPay Cards can continue to be used for motoring-related payments, such as for ERP and parking charges. However, do not upgrade the EZ-Link card to the SimplyGo system.
This means you can no longer use a single card for both public transport and motoring payments. Your options are to retain the old EZ-Link card as-is or use the NETS Flashpay cards, which cannot be used on public transport systems starting 1st June.
NETS FlashPay Cards will also be compatible for retail purchases at NETS acceptance points without exchanging the card.
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