Written Reply to Parliamentary Questions on Lessons from Initial Roll-Out of Plan to Transit Commuters to SimplyGo Platform and Breakdown of Expenditure Arising from Extension of Timeline

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     what is the breakdown in the expenditure of $40 million to extend the card-based ticketing (CBT) system which allows the continued use of EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards on public transportation; and 

b.     what are the projected total additional costs per year to maintain and run both the CBT and SimplyGo account-based ticketing systems in parallel.

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Transport since the pilot of LTA’s account-based ticketing system in 2017 

a.     how many cases of feedback has been received by LTA in relation to the new system; and 

b.     how many times were concerns raised about the inability to view fare deductions and card balances at station fare gates and bus readers.

Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     in light of the public’s reaction towards the change in decision to transit to SimplyGo, what lessons have been learned from the initial roll-out plan; 

b.     whether the Ministry has engaged the public and evaluated feedback during the implementation of this policy; and 

c.     what steps are being taken to ensure that future policy changes in the transport sector will more effectively gauge public opinion and user experience from the outset.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     whether it is possible to code and provide real time fare deduction information on public transport fare readers in the use of SimplyGo EZ-Link cards; and 

b.     if not, why not.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

1.     I thank the Members for their questions. I have addressed them in my reply at the 5th February 2024 Parliament sitting.