SINGAPORE: Commuters can now do away with coins when
paying fares on some private buses.
One of the largest private transport operators in
Singapore is accepting EZ-Link cards for payment.
Cashless payment with EZ-Link cards is now an option offered on
some buses managed by Woodlands Transport Services.
EZ-Link says this makes it both convenient for consumers and
operators alike.
For one, the hassle of dealing with coins is dealt away with.
"At the end of the shift, the bus has to go back and someone has to
take out all the cash and coins and actually handle, count it, sort
it and then deposit it somewhere as part of his taking and
collections," said Nicholas Lee, executive director of
EZ-Link.
"But with this system, it actually eliminates the need for all
those manual effort and provides you a more efficient, accountable
system to count your takings daily."
By April this year, some 50 private buses will be equipped with the
system.
There are an estimated 1,000 private buses in Singapore.
They take in about US$20 million worth of transactions from
commuters each year.
Plans are in place to extend EZ-Link payment to sea ferries and
even tourist attractions.
- CNA/yb