On This Day In 2012, The EZ-Link Card Went On Sale To The Public
If you live in Singapore, chances are you've owned an EZ-Link card, or it’s still your go-to for commuting on public transport.
Since it was released for sale to the public 23 years ago today (13 Apr 2002), the EZ-Link card allows commuters to tap in and out of MRT stations and buses with ease.
Before EZ-link, the struggle was real
Before EZ-Link, getting around on public transport wasn’t quite as seamless. Commuters had to use magnetic farecards, which required inserting them into a ticket validator at MRT fare gates or bus card readers. Mum and Dad might remember the beep-beep and the occasional frustration of a card getting stuck.
The idea of a contactless smart card was first floated by TransitLink in 1994, with the goal of speeding up passenger flow at fare gates and on buses. Trials began in 1996, involving 500 lucky tertiary students testing the card at selected MRT stations and bus routes. By 2000, the new system was officially named the EZ-Link card, and separate trials were held across different transport networks.
To ensure everything was running smoothly, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) set up a subsidiary, EZ-Link Pte Ltd, in January 2002 to oversee the sale and distribution of the cards. Singaporeans finally got their hands on the EZ-Link card on 13 Apr 2002. But it didn’t immediately replace the old magnetic farecards. Both systems ran side by side until the full switchover on 1 Dec that same year.
More than just a transport card
Over the years, the EZ-Link card expanded beyond MRT and bus rides, becoming a mode of payment for food, shopping, cinemas, and even government services.
In 2008, a new CEPAS-compliant EZ-Link card was introduced, allowing commuters to use it for ERP charges and car park payments too. This upgrade also increased the maximum stored value from $100 to $500, making it more convenient for daily transactions.
In 2019, a new ticketing system called SimplyGo was launched, which allowed commuters to use their Visa, MasterCard, or NETS cards for commuting on public transport. You can update your EZ-Link to the SimplyGo EZ-Link at an MRT ticketing machine, which allows you to top-up on-the-go or set up auto top-ups using your credit cards on the SimplyGo app.
Limited edition EZ-Link cards released to commemorate National Day 2022. | IMAGES: EZ-LINK
Fun EZ-link cards and charms
From Pokémon, Star Wars and National Day, there have been plenty of themed EZ-Link cards over the years. If that’s not enough, there are even EZ-Link charms, shaped like a Pokémon Ultra Ball, Captain America’s Shield, and even a mahjong tile - because why not make your daily tap-in a little more fun?
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