I thought the new Contactless ePurse Applications (CEPAS) compliant EZ-Link was almost the same as the previous (SONY?) card. I’m very wrong.
“Please Top Up”
With $1.48 of value inside my card, I didn’t know I would be prompted to top up my card and I wouldn’t be able to take the MRT. Oh well, I was able to get onto a bus few days back. Whatever.
I discovered that the new card requires you to have at least $3 inside your card to get on a MRT. Why? Because the $3 deposit from your previous card was deducted for the new card. That means you’re paying for their upgrades. (Correct me if I’m wrong)
New Features
- You can (now/soon) pay for your meals, shop at 7-Eleven, Buy 4D/Toto/buy soccer bets, pay for government services, improve your own health, etc etc with your new card. Means you got no cash or if you maxed your credit cards, you can still do shopping provided your EZ-Link card got money.
- Can pay ERP with this card? They’re making your life so good. If you forgotten to top up your cash card, you still can go through the gantry without getting fined. (Am I right?)
- You can now top-up your card at more places. (Ofcourse got charge you small fee at some places!) EZ-Online top up service. Let me review it when I’ve tried.
- Higher e-Purse capacity. So you can now store up to $500 inside your card. This can be your next pre-paid current account!
Got Free Gift Somemore!
Wow. EZ-Link is offering you free 6 months insurance (Provided you’re not older than 81 and you’re at least 18! Click here to register. But after 6 months, we won’t know they’ll do (with ACE Insurance). Maybe bug you to get another policy at a fee?
Have you replaced?
This card so good, you haven’t replaced? From now till 30th September 2009, you can do a 1-for-1 exchange (at selected MRT stations/Post Office Branches/TransitLink Offices). Go replace it during working hours. Use your boss’ time, not your own. It’s ok to return back to office late sometimes. More info here.
Got something to share with me regarding the new EZ-Link card?
The $3 deposit is not deducted from you previous card for the new card.
The $3 deposit is transfer from the old card to your new card.
Eg. your old card have a balance of $15.
Your new card will have a balance of $18.
The extra $3 came from the deposit in your old card.
So actually there is no different between the old and new card.
In the old card, you can took the MRT with only $0.01, but actually you have $3.01 in the old card.
Same theory as the new card, $1.48 in the new card means -$1.52 in the old card.
Yo Felix!
As far as I know, the $3 in the old EzLink card is stored in the card as deposit. That’s why we used to be able to travel even when the card has only 1 cent in it because when you tap in, the value is actually $3.01 eventhough it is shown as $0.01 on card reader. $3.01 is enough to cover the journey
The new card doesn’t freeze any deposit, so don’t expect to board a bus or enter MRT station with $0.01 in your new card; it won’t allow you. hehee…