EZ-Link cards will soon be one less thing to worry about — the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has partnered up with Mastercard to launch the long-awaited option of using credit and debit cards to pay for train and bus fares.
No more topping up your EZ-Link card; no more panicky incidents at the station when you realise you left it at home; no more bulky wallets. Bliss.
First announced in March, the Account-Based Ticketing System will enable Mastercard cardholders to use their contactless (look for that wavy sign that looks like a Wi-Fi symbol) debit or credit cards for their daily commute. Transactions are billed to the card, and commuters will have the nifty ability to track their usage history and journey.
The initiative is set to be launched by the end of the year, when both LTA and Mastercard aim to attract at least 100,000 users for the pilot.
“This collaboration with the LTA marks an important milestone for Mastercard as we take a big step towards our vision of building a cashless society by embedding digital payments and reducing the overall reliance on cash to make travel more inclusive,” enthused Mastercard Singapore group head and general manager Deborah Heng.
But don’t despair, Visa cardholders. Visa is reportedly in talks with the LTA to use their cards for bus and train fares as well. Future developments will see LTA enabling mobile phones and probably smartwatches for contactless use on public transit as well.
