The sale of standard tickets is to be progressively phased out starting next year.
Photo Courtesy of The Straits Times
On 3 December, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) mentioned that the sale of standard tickets (the paper fare tickets purchased for single or return rail trips) would be discontinued gradually between January and March next year!
Photo Courtesy of sgtrain.com
Most commuters have long stopped buying standard tickets. Instead, they have switched to using stored value cards (i.e. EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay Cards, concession cards) and account-based ticketing (ABT) options such as their contactless bank cards, mobile wallets, and account-based EZ-Link cards. These methods are more cost-saving and convenient as compared to a standard ticket.
Photo Courtesy of sgtrain.com
The minimum top-up amount for stored value cards at ticketing machines has also been reduced to $2, down from $10 for adults and $5 for student concession cards. It ensures that commuters who have limited cash on hand can top up their stored value cards, continue their journey, and still enjoy the cost savings.
According to the LTA’s announcement on 3 December, starting 10 January 2022, the rail lines affected are Thomson-East Coast and Downtown lines—followed by Circle and North East lines on 10 February 2022. As for North-South and East-West lines, they are scheduled for 10 March 2022.
The LTA has also said that service ambassadors will be deployed at selected train stations from January to March 2022 to assist commuters with the change.
Share this article with your friends if you find it helpful!