LTA needs $40m to extend the system running adult EZ-Link cards to 2030

The CBT system for adult commuters will reach end-of-life in 2024.

The government announced that it will have to spend $40m to extend the card-based ticketing (CBT) system for adult commuters until at least 2030.

Replying to Parliament, Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat said adult EZ-link cards run on a separate CBT system than concession cards.

LTA said it will use the $40m to buy new hardware and equipment and operate and maintain the system over the next few years.

Tat said the government will shoulder the cost of the system's extension and will not affect public transport fares.

On 9 January 2024, LTA announced the phasing out of the CBT system for adult commuters to transition to the SimplyGo system. 

However, following strong reactions from commuters, they decided not to sunset the CBT system for adult commuters.

This way, commuters who prefer EZ-Link cards or NETS FlashPay cards to pay for public transport can still do so.

LTA currently operates three systems: the SimplyGo ABT system and two separate CBT systems developed at different times to support the adult cards and concession cards, respectively.