The LTA will be conducting a pilot for an Account-Based Ticketing System in the fourth quarter of this year to study the feasibility of implementing such a system in future.
2 Account-based Ticketing is a transit fare collection system that will enable commuters to use contactless debit or credit cards for fare payments without the need for upfront top-ups. Similar to post-paid mobile phone subscriptions or utility bills, transactions will be processed and charged to the commuter in subsequent credit or debit card bills. Commuters will benefit from having an additional fare payment option. Using this fare payment system will also eliminate the hassle of having to top up fare cards.
3 LTA Chief Executive, Mr Chew Men Leong, said: “LTA has always been exploring new and innovative payment systems as technology advances to provide more convenience to commuters. Should the Account-based Ticketing pilot be successful, Singapore would be one of the few cities in the world to adopt this fare payment system. Commuters can look forward to having more choices for fare payment without the hassle of topping up their fare cards.”
4 LTA called a tender today to appoint a consultancy to study the feasibility of implementing Account-based Ticketing on a broader scale in future. This consultancy study is expected to commence in the second quarter of this year.
5 In preparation for the Account-based Ticketing pilot, LTA will also be calling a tender in the next few months to appoint an acquiring bank, which will acquire fare payments made through contactless credit/debit cards.