This car park accepts NETS CashCard only

We have been noticing that messages like this are appearing. "This car park accepts NETS CashCard only."



It's so 'entertaining' (ya, I must be bored to think it's entertaining) to read how people can argue and criticize the new CEPAS cards. Mostly about have a 'convenience fee' for Giro top-ups.

You just need to go to the Channelnewsasia.com or Straitstimes.com forums to entertain yourself.

The old and new EZLink Card and Card Readers

After the F1 frenzy in Singapore over the weekend, it's now the EZLink Card frenzy. Earlier this evening, I saw a long snaking queue at the Buona Vista Train Station, waiting to exchange their EZLink cards.

From 1 Oct 2009, public transport commuters in Singapore would have to use the new CEPAS compliant cards for public transport payment.

The blue-ish card is the new CEPAS compliant EZLink card. The other card is my old EZLink card that I have been using for the last few years.



How do people top up their cards? For most people, topping up of this electronic purse is via the General Ticket Machines at the various train stations or via GIRO (bank debit auto top up). Many friends now use the credit card auto top-up because the credit cards gives a rebate for top-ups. For me, I top up using the EZOnline Readers at home.

Around 2 weeks ago, owners of the old Sony Felica readers was entitled to a one for one exchange for the new readers. Somehow the new readers do not look as nice as the Sony Felica readers right? It looks cheap!

I wondered if I did the correct thing. Swapping a $49 Sony Reader for one that looks 'cheap'.  But if I don't change it, the Sony reader is useless in Singapore. Sigh.




For those who have not changed it, you got tomorrow to change it. I have 2 EZLink cards and I have changed one of it a few weeks ago. I am keeping the other card. Like a few people I know, we are going to 'test' and see if the old card still works on 1 Oct. If not, we will flip out the new cards.

If you have changed to the new cards, do you realize that they are less sensitive? For the old cards, the readers on the bus and train stations reads it immediately. For the new cards, it seems to take a longer time or you need to tap it again to work. I wonder if it's only my new card that's not as sensitive.

Like most things in Singapore, with a new card, a whole load of charges are also introduced. GIRO top-ups cost 25 cents now. My colleague has been complaining for weeks! Now that's the new CEPAS compliant card for you. CEPAS would most probably stand for "Charge Extra Payment As Standard" compliant cards. If you don't charge basic services, you are not CEPAS compliant. LOL...

If you want to read more about EZLink, hope over to DK's post about the extra charges here.

Topping up EZLink card right at home...

I just came back from a talk in the National Library. I took the train home and at the exit gate, realised that my fare card is low in funds.

There are many ways to top up the cards, but for me, I do it at home.
This is the equipment that I use to top up my card.

It's called a Felica Reader by Sony.



I think it's the most convenient way to top up and you can gain credit card points too (from your bank).

The public transport in Singapore use a RFID card. Do your country also have something similar?
I know Hong Kong, Bangkok, Malaysia have RFID payment cards too.
Click here to view how a EZLink card in Singapore looks like.

Those in Singapore, how do you always top up your EZLink card? Giro? The GTM Machines at MRT Stations? or Transitlink kiosk at bus stations? Or like me, using your own Felica Reader?