Rail operators are government-assisted profit-based corporations, fares and ticketing on Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system are aimed to break-even or exceed operating expenses.[1][2] Rail operators collect fares based on account-based (ABT) and card-based ticketing options,[3][4] the prices of which are calculated based on the distances travelled between the origin and destination. These prices increase in stages for standard non-concessionary travel, according to the distances travelled.[5] In account-based ticketing, the fare is automatically calculated in the back-end and charged to the passenger post journey.[6] On the other hand, card-based ticketing is proprietary to the transport network and the fare is computed by the system based on the store values recorded in the cards. The public transit system is harmonising towards full ABT.[7]
Stations on the MRT system are divided into two areas, paid and unpaid areas, which allows the rail operators to collect needed fares by restricting entry only through the fare gates, also known as access control gates.[8] These gates, connected to a computer network, are able to read the electronic tickets, and can store information such as the amount of time taken per trip, and the start and destination stations of each trip. This allows the rail operators to collect fares based on this information.
Fares
Although operated by private companies, the system's fare structure is regulated by the Public Transport Council (PTC),[9] to which the operators submit requests for changes in fares.[10][11] Fares are kept affordable by pegging them approximately to distance-related bus fares, thus encouraging commuters to use the network and reduce heavy reliance on the bus system. A fare review is conducted every year, based on a formula that itself is reviewed every 5 years. Since 2021, fare formula has been revised such that there is no Network Capacity Factor (NCF) involved, but the NCF for 2021 only has January 2020 data. The formula takes into account the main factors affecting the cost of operating the public transport system, including the MRT and public buses.[12] Fare increases have caused public concern, but fares have been reduced in 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2017.[13][14] Historically, fares on the fully underground North East, Circle, and Downtown lines had been higher than those of the North South and East West lines (NSEWL), a disparity that was justified by citing higher costs of operation and maintenance on a completely underground line. However, the Public Transport Council (PTC) announced in 2016 that fares for the three underground lines would be reduced to match those on the NSEWL, which took effect along with the annual fare review, on 30 December 2016.[15][16]
After the opening of Downtown line Stage 3, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced that public transport fare rules will be reviewed to allow for transfers across MRT lines at different stations due to the increasing density of the rail network. At the time, commuters were charged a second time when they made such transfers. He added that the PTC would review distance-based fare transfer rules to ensure they continue to facilitate "fast, seamless" public transport journeys. The review of distance-based fare rules on MRT lines was completed, and a waiver on the second boarding fee incurred when making such transfers was announced on 22 March 2018. The scheme was implemented on 29 December 2018.[17][18][19]
Children under the age of 4 and below the height of 0.9m travels for free. Children under the age of 7 can travel for free using a child concession card.
1: Only for school smartcards, Diploma Student EZ-Link, and ITE Student EZ-Link Card only. Undergraduates have to pay adult fares, as more than 90% of the undergraduates are eligible voters.[citation needed]
Fares can be paid via stored value travel cards (e.g. EZ-Link), bank cards (e.g. credit/debit cards, mobile wallets), or tourist passes.[21] The ticketing system is developed based on the Contactless e-Purse Application (CEPAS) standard. The Symphony for e-payment (SeP) is the backend processing and clearing system for public transit.[22] SeP allows any smart card that complies with the CEPAS standard to be used within the system and a wide variety of payment applications. At the outset, SeP only permitted up to four card issuers to provide for e-payment services; TransitLink and NETS offered their contactless smart cards to address these needs.[23]
The ticketing system currently utilises a mixture of Account-Based Ticketing (ABT), or SimplyGo,[24] and legacy (non-ABT) card-based options. ABT has eliminated the need for top-ups.[25] The LTA announced that the non-ABT ticketing system (including the legacy card-based TransitLink and NETS FlashPay smartcards[26]) was reaching the end of its operational lifespan, and would be phased out by 1 June 2024.[27] This decision was later reversed due to public backlash,[28] with the Government spending $40 million to extend the card-based ticketing system.[29]
Fares are charged based on commuters "tapping in" their payment cards, upon entering their mode of transport, at the origin or outset of the journey, and "tapping out" upon exit at the destination. The use of different cards during boarding and alighting, or the failure to tap out, will generally result in full or flat fare(s) charged to the user's account.[30][31] Furthermore, fare evasion is subject to a penalty of S$50.[32]
The current status of the ticketing methods for public transit are tabulated below:
Card-based, can be upgraded to SimplyGo at Station Machines, tops up at Station Machines3 or ATMs, displays fares and balances at station gates or bus readers, permits retail and motoring use.
Card-based, can be traded in at Ticketing Offices for NETS Prepaid Card, tops up at Station Machines, ATMs, or NETS App, displays fares and balances at station gates or bus readers, permits retail and motoring use.
Unlimited rides for limited duration from date of first use. Rental fee is refundable if returned to the Ticketing Office within rental period; otherwise, may be retained as regular EZ-link card.
Notes:1Non-refundable fees may apply to issued cards, surcharges may apply to foreign banking cards2Refers to usage for public transport for multipurpose cards3Cash payment was phased out[47]4Via credit/debit card only†Obsolete
Milestones
1987: Launched the original magnetic Transit Link farecard[48][49]
13 April 2002: Launched FeliCa EZ-Link card as a replacement to the magnetic Transit Link farecard. Both types of cards were accepted concurrently for travel.[50]
1 December 2002: Contactless smart cards fully replaced their magnetic ticket predecessors, making Singapore one of the first cities to implement contactless smart card payment on all main modes of public transportation, similar to Hong Kong.
29 December 2008: Launched CEPAS compliant EZ-link cards.[50]
9 January 2009: Started mass replacement of the FeliCa EZ-link cards with the CEPAS-compliant EZ-link cards.
9 October 2009: CEPAS-compliant NETS FlashPay card, entered the smart card market.
20 March 2017: Started pilot run of Account-Based Ticketing (ABT).[24]
4 April 2019: Launched SimplyGo, initially with MasterCard, followed later by Visa and NETS.[51]
28 January 2021: Launched CEPAS compliant, account-based EZ-Link cards.[52]
22 November 2022: Launched CEPAS compliant, account-based NETS Prepaid cards.[53]
Stored-value cards and SimplyGo
A non-concessionary stored value travel card from NETS or EZ-Link, may be purchased for S$10 (inclusive of a S$5 non-refundable card cost and a S$5 credit), for the payment of public transportation fares,[42][54][55] from ticketing offices or merchant outlets where applicable. The EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards may also be used for the payment of goods and services at merchants displaying the "EZ-Link" logo, Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) tolls and Electronic Parking System (EPS) carparks.[23][56] Commuters can elect to upgrade the legacy EZ-Link cards to SimplyGo, and once done, it is optional to download the EZ-Link or SimplyGo mobile applications to check on the card balance.
On 20 March 2017, LTA started a trial of the usage of contactless debit and credit MasterCard cards for fare payments on all main modes of public transport.[57] Fares are charged directly to their debit or credit cards. From 3 December 2018, the trial was expanded to NETS and Visa cards.[58] On 7 March 2019, the system was renamed to SimplyGo, and it was officially launched on 4 April 2019, starting with MasterCard holders. As of November 2019, Visa and NETS card holders are also able to utilise the system.[59] And finally, all EZ-Link cardholders (including concession) can upgrade to SimplyGo. LTA and TransitLink is still in the works of adding concession fares into bank cards and smartwatches.[citation needed]
On 9 January 2024, LTA announced that NETS FlashPay cards, EZ-Link cards and charms that have not been upgraded to SimplyGo can no longer be used for public transport from 1st June 2024. Charms are special EZ-Link cards in the form of trinkets.[60] Only SimplyGo payment options will be accepted at MRT/LRT fare gates and bus card readers, while the aforementioned options may still be used for motoring needs.[61] Due to public backlash, the authorities announced on 22 January 2024 that the decision was reversed and the LTA was tasked to look into improving the user experience for ABT cards and solutions to display the fare and cards balances at fare gates and bus card readers.[28]
In moves to improve standardisation across platforms, the Transit-Link and EZ-Link entities will be merged into one company SimplyGo, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Land Transport Authority, in the second half of 2024.[62] In addition, the EZ-Link and SimplyGo applications will be integrated into a common application.[63]
Singapore Tourist Pass
A Singapore Tourist Pass may be purchased from S$22[64] (inclusive of a S$10 refundable card deposit and a 3-day pass) for the payment of public transportation fares. The card may be purchased at selected TransitLink Ticket Offices, LTA Kiosks, Passenger Service Centres and Singapore Visitors Centres, and can be refunded at both TransitLink Ticket Offices and Passenger Service Centres.[65]
Access-control gates
Access-control gates found in Singapore's MRT and LRT stations have evolved in design & features over the years. A few different series of gates from different manufacturers have been used in MRT and LRT stations. The two oldest generations of these gates in the MRT stations began to be removed starting from March 2010, and this was completed by October 2014.
On 22 July 2018, a hands-free ticketing technology trial was launched at 4 stations to examine the feasibility of a new hands-free fare gate that allows people with disabilities to enter and exit MRT stations without tapping their fare cards. If found to be feasible, the fare gates may be introduced to more stations. The trial lasted until November 2018.[66] A tender for a second trial was announced in February 2020, with the possibility of expanding the system to all public buses and 400 faregates should the trial be successful.[67]
Magnetic fare card reader (removed by 2003) CEPAS smart card readers Retractable red flaps VFD fare information displays (Some units equipped with angled VFD displays, some of them are in analogue and some of them are in digital) Bulb-operated directional sign displays Red alarm/concession indicator
Magnetic fare card reader (removed by 2003) CEPAS smart card readers Retractable red flaps Angled VFD fare information displays LED directional sign displays Red alarm/concession indicator
Cubic AFC turnstile faregates
Bukit Panjang LRT stations (replaced by November 2017)
Magnetic fare card reader (removed by 2003) CEPAS smart card readers Three arms tripod turnstiles Angled VFD fare information displays Bulb-operated directional sign displays
CEPAS smart card readers Retractable red flaps (Wide gate feature dual retractable flaps) 6.5" LCD fare information displays LED directional sign displays LED gate status indicators
Titan automatic gates
All North South Line, East West Line, North East Line, Punggol LRT, Sengkang LRT and Bukit Panjang LRT stations Bayfront
CEPAS smart card readers Retractable red flaps Angled LCD fare information displays Illuminated LED directional bar LED gate status indicators Frontal LCD Display (selected units)
CEPAS smart card readers Single bidirectional swing gate Angled top panel fare information display Illuminated LED bar display (indicating lane direction) LED gate status indicators
CEPAS smart card readers Two bidirectional glass swing flaps LCD fare information display LED directional sign display LED gate status indicators
Passenger service centres
Passenger service centres are control stations that looks after the station, and handle cash top-ups for all MRT cards. By the first half of 2018, cash top-ups at all passenger service centres were phased out.[69]
Ticketing machines
Machine
Location
Accepted Mode of Payment
Features
General Ticketing Machine (GTM)
Circle Line Downtown Line East West Line North East Line North South Line Thomson-East Coast Line Bukit Panjang LRT Sengkang LRT Punggol LRT
Cash (Minimum S$2 as banknote) NETS Credit/Debit Card
Topping up CEPAS cards Upgrading CEPAS cards to SimplyGo Checking last 30 travel transactions Encoding and extension of monthly concession passes with NETS Manage Auto Reload services through GIRO or Credit/Debit Card[70] For those using cash, no change is given in the machine. Cash can only be used with $2, $5, $10 and $50 banknotes. GTMs by Cubic were introduced for North South, East West and Circle lines, whereas GTMs by Ascom were introduced for North East Line.
Add Value Machine (AVM) (2002 - 2013) and Add Value Machine (AVM+) (2013 - 2022)
North South Line and East West Line (All replaced by November 2021) Bus Interchanges
NETS
Topping up CEPAS cards Upgrading CEPAS cards to SimplyGo Checking last 30 travel transactions Encoding and extension of monthly concession passes Manage Auto Reload services through GIRO or Credit/Debit Card[70] Payment of penalty fee Express claims and filing for refunds Emailing of travel transactions Instant redemption of travel voucher and rewards Originally accepts magnetic farecards and was upgraded to stored value cards in 2002.
Top-Up Machine (TUM)
Circle Line (All replaced by March 2021) Downtown Line North South Line East West Line Punggol LRT Sengkang LRT Bukit Panjang LRT
NETS
Topping up CEPAS cards Upgrading CEPAS cards to SimplyGo Checking last 30 travel transactions
Top-Up Kiosk (TUK)
Circle Line Downtown Line East West Line North East Line North South Line Thomson-East Coast Line Bukit Panjang LRT Sengkang LRT Punggol LRT
NETS Credit/Debit Card
Topping up CEPAS cards Upgrading CEPAS cards to SimplyGo Checking last 30 travel transactions Encoding and extension of monthly concession passes Manage Auto Reload services through GIRO or Credit/Debit Card[70] Payment of penalty fee Express claims and filing for refunds Emailing of travel transactions
Top-Up Kiosk with Cash Accepted (TUK-A)
Circle Line Downtown Line East West Line North East Line North South Line Thomson-East Coast Line Bukit Panjang LRT Sengkang LRT Punggol LRT
Cash (Minimum S$2 as banknote) NETS Credit/Debit Card
Topping up CEPAS cards Upgrading CEPAS cards to SimplyGo Checking last 30 travel transactions Encoding and extension of monthly concession passes Manage Auto Reload services through GIRO or Credit/Debit Card[70] Payment of penalty fee Express claims and filing for refunds Emailing of travel transactions For those using cash, no change is given in the machine. Cash can only be used with $2, $5, $10 and $50 banknotes.
Assisted Service Kiosk (ASK)
Thomson-East Coast Line
NETS Credit/Debit Card
Topping up CEPAS cards Upgrading CEPAS cards to SimplyGo Checking last 30 travel transactions Encoding and extension of monthly concession passes Manage Auto Reload services through GIRO or Credit/Debit Card[70] Payment of penalty fee Express claims and filing for refunds Emailing of travel transactions
Replacement of all ticketing machines into Top-Up Kiosk (TUK)
General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) (Phased out), Assisted Service Kiosks (ASKs) and Top-Up Kiosks (TUK) in the MRT station
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Add Value Machine (AVM), Top-Up Machine (TUM) and General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) were however replaced by Top-Up Kiosk (TUK). These replacement programme are as follows:
23 January 2020 - 15 January 2021: Circle Line and Thomson-East Coast Line
19 April 2021 - 19 July 2021: North South Line
23 July 2021 - 15 November 2021: East West Line
23 November 2021 - 19 February 2022: Downtown Line
1 March 2022 - 15 May 2022: North East Line
Subsequently; all stations were upgraded to Top-Up Kiosk with Cash Accepted (TUK-A) where cash can be accepted. Top Up Kiosks (TUK) can only accept NETS and Credit/Debit Card only together with the Assisted Service Kiosk (ASK).
EZ-Link SimplyGo ambassadors were being deployed at selected stations (previously at the heartlands) to help cardholders who face difficulties in transition, mitigate their assistance; including those who have $100 note to give change to small note ($50) and those ticketing machines need to have maintenance, they will ask commuters to move to other facilities nearby.
