In Singapore, commuters have various options for payment cards that can be used for public transportation and other purposes. Two of the most popular choices are NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are some key differences between the two.
Similarities between NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards
Both NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards can be used for the following:
- Buses
- MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)
- ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) via an IU (In-vehicle Unit) Reader
- Carparks via an IU Reader
In these aspects, NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards function similarly and can be used interchangeably.
Differences between NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards
Despite their similarities, there is one key difference between NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards:
- NETS FlashPay cards are a part of the NETS (Network for Electronic Transfers) payment system, which is widely accepted in Singapore for various purposes, including shopping.
- EZ-Link cards, on the other hand, are primarily designed for transportation use and may not be as widely accepted for other purposes like shopping.
It’s important to note that while NETS FlashPay cards can be used for shopping, they do not come with an app for managing card balance, transaction history, and top-ups. This feature is available with NETS Prepaid cards, which are a separate product from NETS FlashPay cards.
Conclusion
In summary, NETS FlashPay and EZ-Link cards are similar in their use for public transportation, ERP, and carparks via an IU Reader. The main difference lies in NETS FlashPay’s wider acceptance for shopping due to its integration with the NETS payment system. When choosing between the two, consider your primary use case and whether the additional shopping feature of NETS FlashPay is important to you.
