CEPAS

The CEPAS provides the command sets and data bytes that can be used for contactless e-purse applications and focuses on the debit and credit areas. The most recent version of the standard is CEPAS 3.0, which adds support for account-based ticketing with a token held on the CEPAS card. The standard allows for the interoperability of multi-purpose stored value (MPSV) card payment schemes from different card issuers and system operators.

CEPAS is spearheaded by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), and is one of the key next generation e-payment initiatives under Singapore's iN2015 infocomm masterplan led by IMDA.{{cite web |title=Specification for Contactless e-Purse Application (CEPAS) |author=Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore |url=https://www.imda.gov.sg/industry-development/infrastructure/ict-standards-and-frameworks/specification-for-contactless-e-purse-application-cepas |date=2008-01-23 |access-date=2017-02-03}} The vision of CEPAS is for Singaporeans to have a single MPSV card for use all around Singapore for micro-payments. This includes transit (bus, MRT, LRT), taxi, motoring (ERP, parking), retail, and other services.

CEPAS is a result of close collaboration by IMDA with different industry players and the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The other key collaborators are the Cards & Personal Identification Technical Committee (CPITC) under the Singapore IT Standards Committee (ITSC), Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) and EZ-Link Pte Ltd (EZ-Link). SPRING Singapore published CEPAS as SS 518 and was officially launched during the CEPAS Launch & Next Generation e-Payment seminar on 27 June 2006, held at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The current micro-payment landscape in Singapore is fragmented, with different standards, and is dominated by two main players: NETS and EZ-Link. EZ-Link controls the transit space, NETS controls the motoring (ERP, parking) space, Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX control the retail space. NETS also dominates the retail space, with EZ-Link having a limited presence. Currently, cards and readers from both providers cannot interoperate, resulting in consumers holding different cards for payment of various services and goods.

CEPAS aims to open and level the micro-payment playing field. For example, NETS and credit/debit card holders will be able to use their cards to pay for transit, while EZ-Link card holders will be able to use their cards for retail and motoring payments. {{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}

{{see also|Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)#Ticketing|Fares and ticketing on the Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)}}

The CEPAS card-based EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards released on 29 December 2008{{cite web |author=EZ-Link Pte Ltd |date=2008-12-26 |title=Commencement of sale of the NEW CEPAS-Compliant EZ-Link card |url=http://www.ezlink.com.sg/NEWS_ez_press26Dec08.htm |access-date=2009-04-04}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} operate as offline cards, intended for farecards in transit systems and micropayments in retail. As transactions are processed offline without having to maintain an active network connection to the bank for processing, lower transaction fees are incurred compared to debit and credit cards.

In 2016, the Land Transport Authority began the account-based ticketing trial to expand the range of e-payment options and eliminate the need for top-ups in transit. With that, the CEPAS version was changed to 3.0 and SeP to 2.0. It allowed credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) to be used in the transit system, in addition to the existing CEPAS EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-launches-digital-payment-scheme-for-public-transport|title=LTA launches digital payment scheme for public transport|date=4 April 2019|website=The Straits Times|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405083247/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-launches-digital-payment-scheme-for-public-transport|archive-date=5 April 2019|access-date=5 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://simplygo.transitlink.com.sg/FAQs|title=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - TransitLink SimplyGo}}

In September 2020, LTA began a trial to expand the account-based ticketing system to CEPAS cards, which were conventionally based on a card-based ticketing system. The reason given for pushing the account-based ticketing system was that it removed the need for physical trips to top-up machines. As the card information is stored on a central server under account-based ticketing, access to travel history and card top-ups can be done remotely through mobile apps, without needing the card to be physically present.{{cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2020/9/news-releases/LTA_launches_SimplyGo_pilot.html|title=LTA Launches SimplyGo Pilot On EZ-Link Cards - LTA}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2021/1/news-releases/account-based-ez-link-cards-available-for-use-in-public-transpor.html|title=Account-based EZ-Link cards available for use in Public Transport from 28 Jan - LTA}}

The account-based EZ-Link Card was launched in January 2021,{{Cite web |title=EZ-Link launches account-based cards that allow top-ups through mobile app |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ez-link-account-based-ticketing-card-top-up-mobile-app-438701 |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=CNA |language=en}} and the account-based NETS Prepaid Card was launched in November 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.nets.com.sg/newsroom/nets-launches-nets-prepaid-card-its-first-smart-stored-value-card-for-retail-and-transit | title=NETS launches NETS Prepaid Card: its first 'smart' stored-value card for retail and transit – NETS }} These account-based cards replaced the former EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards that supported card-based ticketing. Transactions using account-based cards are processed in the backend. Hence commuters are unable to see their fare deduction and card value balance at MRT fare gates and bus readers.

On 10 January 2024, LTA announced that EZ-Link adult cards, which have not yet been upgraded to SimplyGo and NETS FlashPay cards, will no longer be accepted for public transport fare payment from 1 June 2024 due to the phasing out of the legacy card-based ticketing system. This decision was reversed because the commuters were concerned with card balance and fare displays. The ERP acceptance was not taken into consideration because of the car-lite society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/simplygo-ezlink-nets-flashpay-public-transport-fare-payment-lta-4034876|title=Non-SimplyGo EZ-Link, NETS FlashPay cards not valid for public transport from June}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2024/1/news-releases/ez-link_adult_cardholders_and_nets_flashpay_cardholders_to_transit_to_simplygo.html|title=EZ-Link Adult Cardholders and NETS FlashPay Cardholders to Transit to SimplyGo for Public Transport Fare Payments by 1 June}}

There has been some criticism by the public that the auto-top-up service by GIRO for the new CEPAS card will require an administration fee for activation as well as for each top-up. In contrast, auto-top-up for the original EZ-Link card was free. Additionally, the public has complained that the application process for this service is now more complicated compared to the relatively easier process for the original version.{{cite web |title=Have a card to rival EZ-link |author=The Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Online+Story/STIStory_429724.html |date=2009-09-15 |access-date=2009-10-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922225935/http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_429724.html |archive-date=22 September 2009 }}

LTA's announcement on 10 January 2024 about the discontinuation of the card-based ticketing EZ-Link & NETS FlashPay Cards and mandatory transition to the account-based ticketing SimplyGo EZ-Link & NETS Prepaid Cards drew a negative reception from the public. The concerns raised included the inability to view fares and card balances at the gantry. The public felt that the SimplyGo user experience for stored-value cards is unnecessarily complicated and over-reliant on mobile apps, which creates inconveniences for the elderly, children, and less tech-savvy demographics of the population.{{cite web | title=CNA Explains: Why some Singapore commuters are upset about moving from EZ-Link to SimplyGo | website=CNA | url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/simplygo-ezlink-commuters-reactions-lta-4040271}}{{cite web | title=Commuters run into problems upgrading EZ-Link cards amid complaints over switch to SimplyGo | website=CNA | url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/simplygo-ezlink-commuters-face-issues-upgrading-4043246}}{{cite web | title=Displaying fares, deductions at gantries under SimplyGo possible but 'will lead to longer queues': LTA | website=TODAY | url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/simplygo-display-fares-deductions-possible-longer-queues-lta-2341491}} The authorities reversed the decision on 22 January 2024, and existing EZ-Link & NETS FlashPay cards can continue to be used after 1 June 2024.{{cite web | last1=Tjoe | first1=Lee Nian | last2=Yufeng | first2=Kok | title=LTA shelves plan to replace older public transport payment cards with SimplyGo by June 1 | website=The Straits Times | date=22 January 2024 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-shelves-plan-to-replace-older-public-transport-payment-cards-with-simplygo-by-june-1 | access-date=22 January 2024}}

File:FlashPay (back).jpg|Back of a CEPAS NETS FlashPay card

• EZ-Link
• NETS FlashPay

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.imda.gov.sg/industry-development/infrastructure/ict-standards-and-frameworks/specification-for-contactless-e-purse-application-cepas Specification for Contactless ePurse Application (CEPAS)]

{{Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)}}

Category:Science and technology in Singapore

Category:Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)