Debacle in Singapore and What It Means for Account-Based Ticketing in the Market
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority for several years was an enthusiastic supporter of account-based ticketing and of its own implementation of the technology–even sometimes referring to its project by the industry abbreviation for the technology, “ABT,” in promotions to the public.
But that enthusiasm changed Jan. 9, after transport officials had announced to customers that they would have to give up their legacy closed-loop cards in favor of new ABT fare cards.
Supporting Concessionary Discounts with Open Loop ‘Remains a Challenge’
While more and more transit agencies globally are enabling their customers to tap credit and debit cards and NFC wallets to pay fares, there are obstacles limiting growth.
Singapore’s LTA Sees Strong Take-Up of Open-Loop Payments but has No Plans to End Closed Loop
Since launching open-loop payments in 2019, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has seen adoption grow to more than 30% of adult full fare trips, and the authority has eliminated single-trip paper tickets.