Transit Link Pte Ltd (TransitLink) and EZ-Link Pte Ltd (EZ-Link), wholly owned subsidiaries of Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA), are collaborating to simplify and streamline the ticketing experience by offering commuters a centralised location from which to purchase transit tickets and travel cards.
With the evolution of the transit payment landscape over the last few decades, the integration of these services is timely. To facilitate fare transactions and offer transit ticketing services like top-ups, TransitLink was established in 1987. When Singapore implemented contactless payment for public transport in 2002, EZ-Link was instituted to oversee the sale, distribution, and management of EZ-Link cards.
Services related to travel cards and transit tickets have become inextricably linked since the launch of SimplyGo in 2019. SimplyGo is now used by one in every two adult trips on public transportation, and adoption is expected to increase as more types of concession cards are upgraded to support this feature.
The consolidation of all transit ticketing and travel card-related services will provide commuters with a single point of contact for customer service. For instance, the TransitLink SimplyGo and EZ-Link mobile applications will be consolidated to provide commuters with access to a variety of ticketing and card-related services through a single interface.
Similarly, commuters will have access to unified customer service for all ticketing and card-related issues. Commuters can continue to access TransitLink and EZ-Link for their respective services while the consolidation of transit services is occurring. Commuters can also endure using their active mobile apps, and they will continue to pay their charges in the same way.
TransitLink and EZ-Link intend to merge into a single organisation. The new organisation will give everyone a common place to find new ideas and business opportunities, such as more ways to use SimplyGo Concession cards.
The LTA is working with the leaders and management teams of TransitLink and EZ-Link to integrate services and merge the two organisations into one.
This includes the integration of staff and operations, as well as the consolidation of mobile applications and customer service touchpoints. Because of this merger, no jobs will be lost; new roles may be created; and staff may be redeployed to different designations.
The transit ticketing landscape in Singapore has evolved significantly in recent years, according to Ng Lang, Chief Executive, LTA. With the growing popularity of SimplyGo, this enhanced collaboration between TransitLink and EZ-Link will provide commuters with greater convenience and access to related transit ticketing services via a single interface.
He also stated that during the restructuring process, they will collaborate closely with TransitLink and EZ-Link to ensure a smooth transition for employees and commuters.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the merger is expected to be completed in the second half of 2024. When the plans are finalised, more information about the service integration and merger will be released.
Additionally, the transportation sector can overcome several business challenges with the aid of digitisation supported by cutting-edge technology, including cost management, operational optimisation, customer experience improvement, supply chain management, and end-to-end communication.
With this, the Transit Link and EZ-Link are working to implement several new services, including the ability for users to top off and manage their cards through a mobile app, in addition to the integration of ticketing systems. These developments are meant to make public transportation in Singapore simpler to use and to enhance the overall commuter experience.
