NETS introduces new NETS Motoring card, aims to 'eventually replace' CashCard

SINGAPORE: The 26-year-old CashCard, used for digital highway pricing (ERP) and automotive park expenses, is being phased out because the Community for Digital Transfers (NETS) introduces a brand new saved worth card. 

Launched on Monday (Mar 23), the NETS Motoring card is compliant with the Contactless e-Purse Utility (CEPAS) commonplace and “aims to meet the needs of motorists now and in the future”, stated NETS. 

The NETS Motoring card will “eventually replace” the CashCard for all automotive park and ERP expenses, stated a NETS spokesperson in response to queries.

In keeping with this, the CashCard will solely be out there at petrol stations and the NETS Buyer Service Centre at Central Plaza on Tiong Bahru Street from Apr 5. 

READ: The brand new tech driving site visitors on Singapore's roads

In the meantime the brand new NETS Motoring card - which prices S$10, inclusive of S$5 in saved worth -  is now out there at petrol stations, comfort shops in addition to the NETS Buyer Service Centre.  

Autos with the primary technology of in-vehicle models (IUs) - first rolled out in 1998 with the introduction of the ERP - can at the moment solely use the CashCard.

These with the second-generation “dual-mode” IUs launched in 2009 can use quite a lot of cost strategies equivalent to bank card, EZ-Hyperlink playing cards, and NETS FlashPay playing cards. 

About 14.9 million CashCards and FlashPay playing cards have been issued up to now, stated NETS. 

Some motorists have famous that gantries at sure automotive parks -  which haven't adopted the total Digital Parking System (EPS) - solely recognise the older CashCard. A ten-page thread on native motoring web site MyCarForum lists greater than 15 automotive parks the place the gantries are unable to detect the newer contactless playing cards within the IU. 

The NETS Motoring card will present “ultimate convenience being the only card in the market that motorists can use to pay at all car parks across Singapore”, NETS stated. 

“As with NETS’ CashCard, motorists will just need to insert the NETS Motoring Card into their dual-mode IU for auto-deduction of payments for ERP and car park charges at full Electronic Parking System (EPS) car parks,” stated the digital cost service supplier on its web site. 

“For all non-full EPS car parks, motorists can use the NETS Motoring Card to make payments with a tap-and-hold motion at the exit readers.” 

The brand new card will work with each the second-generation in-vehicle models (IUs) -  launched in 2009 - in addition to the upcoming on-board models (OBUs) which will probably be rolled out from the second half of this yr, the spokesperson added. 

READ: LTA finding out use of smartphone screens to show info from new ERP unit: Amy Khor

The primary OBUs will probably be put in freed from cost for present Singapore-registered autos from the second half of this yr, with the set up train anticipated to happen over a interval of 18 months.

These will probably be used when Singapore switches to the satellite-based next-generation ERP system in mid-2023.

Whereas motorists utilizing the primary technology IUs can proceed to make use of the NETS CashCards, they may not give you the chance to take action as soon as the brand new OBU is put in of their autos, stated NETS. 

In September final yr, the Land Transport Authority stated the OBU is designed to be appropriate with present techniques, together with ERP expenses and parking. 

It added that motorists can proceed to make use of their CEPAS playing cards equivalent to NETS FlashPay and EZ-Hyperlink playing cards, or credit score or debit playing cards to make cost.

“In light of expected developments, the NETS Motoring Card will provide motorists a seamless payment solution to meet their motoring requirements in the foreseeable future,” it stated.