SimplyGo screw ups

[sglandscape]

Helpers are especially vulnerable, since their bank accounts are always near zero. I transferred $10 to my helper for her to topup her simplygo ezlink card. But because her simply go ezlink went negative (since she didnt know how to d/l simply go app, she had no idea of her card value), my mum and the helper had to wait 15 mins at the MRT entrance for the simplygo card to be updated with the $10.

How can this be considered as progress?

IMO this is a good example of the undeserved / underbanked, which hopefully with the new digital banks the gap closes further. Having a debit card (be it prepaid or linked to a wallet, or linked to a bank account) would remove quite a bit of this issue.

Ability to conveniently access funds (or even credit) help reduce friction.

 

[259850]

IMO this is a good example of the undeserved / underbanked, which hopefully with the new digital banks the gap closes further. Having a debit card (be it prepaid or linked to a wallet, or linked to a bank account) would remove quite a bit of this issue.

Ability to conveniently access funds (or even credit) help reduce friction.

Local banks offer fee-free or $2/month fee banking accounts that come with a debit card to anyone with a local work permit. The issue is not access (especially since the push to get migrant workers bank accounts during the pandemic), but the inability of some to keep a even a low balance in their banks (and employers who still pay salaries in cash). They are the only ones who probably need a prepaid card for public transport. I still don't see why others are not using their credit/debit cards, which remove the need for top-ups.

 

[caesium5]

I am currently using a credit card tied to Google-Wallet for transport so I am not affected by the SimplyGo switch.

However, my elder brothers are using the Senior Citizen Concession Card which is a good since the transport fee is much cheaper.

They are another group (besides the undeserved / underbanked) that will encounter the "problem" and don't think they would want to switch to CC (since it means a higher fare).

 

[reddevil0728]

I am currently using a credit card tied to Google-Wallet for transport so I am not affected by the SimplyGo switch.

However, my elder brothers are using the Senior Citizen Concession Card which is a good since the transport fee is much cheaper.

So, they are another group (besides the undeserved / underbanked) that will encounter the "problem" and don't think they would want to switch to CC (since it means a higher fare).

there is no need for them to switch? because that's why the concession card has been retained ma

 

[caesium5]

there is no need for them to switch? because that's why the concession card has been retained ma

You mean their Senior Citizen Concession Card can still see the fares and balance, that's great.
Was still wondering if they would have problem handling another app.

 

[RedsYWNA]

Local banks offer fee-free or $2/month fee banking accounts that come with a debit card to anyone with a local work permit. The issue is not access (especially since the push to get migrant workers bank accounts during the pandemic), but the inability of some to keep a even a low balance in their banks (and employers who still pay salaries in cash). They are the only ones who probably need a prepaid card for public transport. I still don't see why others are not using their credit/debit cards, which remove the need for top-ups.

The no of helpers is quite sizable in SG. Given that my helper's bank balance is perpetually near zero, to ensure she can continue to take public transport, usually i will transfer some funds eg $6 to her bank account, and she then uses her debit card (simply go) for the public transport.

A prepaid card would work better for me and her, but since the decision has been made, we just have to live with it, and transfer her the transport funds for each travel.

 

[XiaoJinLing]

If we use debit card like youtrip n revolut... also need to have sgd3 then can travel? If below sgd3.00 and we topup (directly to youtrip and/or revolut) immediately we can use liao right?

 

[RedsYWNA]

If we use debit card like youtrip n revolut... also need to have sgd3 then can travel? If below sgd3.00 and we topup (directly to youtrip and/or revolut) immediately we can use liao right?

I think the 15 mins delay is only for cards that hit a certain negative value.

 

[sglandscape]

Local banks offer fee-free or $2/month fee banking accounts that come with a debit card to anyone with a local work permit. The issue is not access (especially since the push to get migrant workers bank accounts during the pandemic), but the inability of some to keep a even a low balance in their banks (and employers who still pay salaries in cash). They are the only ones who probably need a prepaid card for public transport. I still don't see why others are not using their credit/debit cards, which remove the need for top-ups.

A prepaid debit card (or with some balance left in their bank account) would work the same as an prepaid ezlink card though. The new digital banks are offering 0 fees for both the savings account and the debit card, which is much welcomed.

Agree that for the others no reason why they are not switching.

 

[sibeiTrolled]

If we use debit card like youtrip n revolut... also need to have sgd3 then can travel? If below sgd3.00 and we topup (directly to youtrip and/or revolut) immediately we can use liao right?

Youtrip / Revolut / Wise cards all function similar as a bank card ( debit card).
Top-up is "immediate" most of the time and you shouldn't be encountering top up issue much (touch wood)
You do not require the 3 SGD balance to tap in. Afterall, the system doesn't know how you have in the card.

Additionally, if you are using the Mastercard version, fare not charged to the card until criteria is met.

How would I be billed for transit payments using contactless bank card?

The transactions will be processed, accumulated and charged to your contactless bank cards with the merchant descriptor name “BUS/MRT”.

For Mastercard contactless bank cards, fare charges will be accumulated for up to 5 days or after a total of $15 is spent on transit fares, whichever is earlier.

For Visa and NETS contactless bank cards, fare charges will be accumulated daily.

The accumulated amount will be posted to your respective banks after 3 days. Postings will be reflected in your credit, debit or pre-paid card account based on the processing time of your Issuing Bank.

 

[hyperbole]

The issue is not access (especially since the push to get migrant workers bank accounts during the pandemic), but the inability of some to keep a even a low balance in their banks (and employers who still pay salaries in cash). They are the only ones who probably need a prepaid card for public transport.

Isn’t using debit card or prepaid card like youtrip even better for these people? No need to pay for non refundable card fee and no need to tie up funds by topping up EZ-Link card. As long as they have 10 cents in their account, they can board and top up their bank account or prepaid card with the fare used later.

 

[sglandscape]

Youtrip / Revolut / Wise cards all function similar as a bank card ( debit card).
Top-up is "immediate" most of the time and you shouldn't be encountering top up issue much (touch wood)
You do not require the 3 SGD balance to tap in. Afterall, the system doesn't know how you have in the card.

Additionally, if you are using the Mastercard version, fare not charged to the card until criteria is met.

How would I be billed for transit payments using contactless bank card?

The transactions will be processed, accumulated and charged to your contactless bank cards with the merchant descriptor name “BUS/MRT”.

For Mastercard contactless bank cards, fare charges will be accumulated for up to 5 days or after a total of $15 is spent on transit fares, whichever is earlier.

For Visa and NETS contactless bank cards, fare charges will be accumulated daily.

The accumulated amount will be posted to your respective banks after 3 days. Postings will be reflected in your credit, debit or pre-paid card account based on the processing time of your Issuing Bank.

If your card fails when posting occurs, the card may eventually be blacklisted (if it occurs too many times). Or at least such a mechanism exists in the usual implementation for ABT globally, not sure if it is turned on here by MC/Visa

 

[sibeiTrolled]

If your card fails when posting occurs, the card may eventually be blacklisted (if it occurs too many times). Or at least such a mechanism exists in the usual implementation for ABT globally, not sure if it is turned on here by MC/Visa

Can only hope such scenarios are also covered by LTA / vendor / contractors during their testing.
In the end it is on the user to check, maintain and top up these cards if they choose to use it.
It will be funny seeing news that people are having negative balance or worst case cannot use their card (leading to long queues at the gantry / station office) in the future if it happens.

 

[fr33d0m]

I am ok to move to simplygo if i can use the same card for all 3 categories. You and sglandscape seems to brush off 1/3 commuters' comments as 'loud minority'.

Disregarding drivers, the question is whether their comments are valid.

3 main pts:

You cant easily check your card value, journey value at the turnstile

There is a 15 mins wait to topup, if your card goes to a certain negative value (linked to 1st point about - cant easily check your card value at the turnstile). Commuter is stuck outside the MRT entrance for 15 mins.

You cant topup when you are in the train (which is the period a commuter has the most time).

why do you need check your card value, journey value every time?

when you do payment, do you check whether your card/account is overcharged or undercharged every time?

 

[RedsYWNA]

why do you need check your card value, journey value every time?

when you do payment, do you check whether your card/account is overcharged or undercharged every time?

Today I just bought at a retail store and quickly discovered I was overcharged $14.40. maybe the amount is peanuts to the elites lor.

 

[fr33d0m]

Today I just bought at a retail store and quickly discovered I was overcharged $14.40. maybe the amount is peanuts to the elites lor.

Please so elaborate how it happened. Is it human error or machine fault?

I wonder how often you do this and discover discrepancies and value your time spent on this vs benefit obtained.

 

[RedsYWNA]

Please so elaborate how it happened. Is it human error or machine fault?

I wonder how often you do this and discover discrepancies and value your time spent on this vs benefit obtained.

Discount not reflected.

Is it v abnormal to check my receipts at restaurants and supermarkets? Maybe thats what peasants like me do.

 

[reddevil0728]

Today I just bought at a retail store and quickly discovered I was overcharged $14.40. maybe the amount is peanuts to the elites lor.

Discount not reflected.

Is it v abnormal to check my receipts at restaurants and supermarkets? Maybe thats what peasants like me do.

Don’t think checking receipt is wrong.

But what we dunno is if the discount not reflected is it because of SimplyGo or because of some other issues?

Also, I don’t think it’s meaningful to continuously share instances of “error”.

I can’t speak for other people, but I’m not in denial that errors do take place. But what’s not clear to us is, the frequency of such instances as we do not have stats to show is it just a very small handful or is it very frequent and is systemic

 

[fr33d0m]

Discount not reflected.

Is it v abnormal to check my receipts at restaurants and supermarkets? Maybe thats what peasants like me do.

Neither current EZ-Link nor SimplyGo provides receipts to check…

and the price is relatively fixed…apple to orange

also that was not my counter-argument. Do you check your bank account for credit card transactions which may or may not immediately visible or Giro/QR payment, which deducts from you directly from your account with/without notification and SimplyGo does provide notification.

 

[hyperbole]

don't understand this whole long discussion about checking transactions. if you like to check, then isn't simplygo app better for checking?