Monday 14 October 2019

How to configure SimplyGo for your contactless bank card in Singapore?

This is a brief guide on how to configure your contactless bank cards to use on Singapore's public transport system.

To begin, what is SimplyGo?

What is SimplyGo by Translink?


Land Transport Authority (LTA) and TransitLink have partnered the various payment schemes to introduce contactless payments on trains and buses.


SimplyGo enables commuters to use their credit or debit cards with contactless function for fare payments. There will be no need for upfront top-ups and your train and bus fares will be processed and charged to your credit or debit card bill.

SimplyGo used to be called “Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) System”.

Why do I want to use SimplyGo for public transport?

The main reasons for wanting to use this service is:
  • You want to use your contactless bank cards such as PayWave, Masterpass as your travel card on public transport card
  • You want to remove the need to carry a separate travel card or make any upfront top-ups before travelling
  • You want to easily keep track of your travel expenditure and history via the TransitLink SimplyGo mobile app
  • Registered users of contactless bank cards can also opt to receive push notifications for travel fares and claim approvals using the TL SimplyGo mobile app on their smartphones. 
  • Other services include submitting travel claims and viewing of claim status, as well as making payment for penalty fees


How to configure SimplyGo for your contactless bank card in Singapore?


Step 1 - Register for an account at SimplyGo by TransitLink 

Register for a free account at SimplyGo by TransitLink's website and fill in your details as required. 



Step 2 - Add in your contactless card details

Add in your contactless card details so that SimplyGo knows where to charge your public transport travels. 

You will need your mobile phone/ one time password (OTP) to be able to follow through the prompts here.

Step 3 - Use your contactless card on Singapore public transport

Start testing and using your contactless card on public transport. You can use it on any public transport bus or MRT/ train that is part of the Singapore public transport network. 

Happy commuting! 

Some common frequently asked questions:

Can I use my contactless bank card to make payment for all train and public bus services?

You can pay for both train and public bus fares (basic, premium and express bus services) with your contactless bank card, except for private buses.

Similar to any contactless bank card purchase, commuters simply take the card out of wallet, tap and go. Bus and train transactions will be processed, accumulated and charged to the credit or debit card. 

Please note that for premium bus services, your contactless bank card can be used to pay for fares only if they are operated by public transport operators (PTOs) and not private operators. All PTO-operated buses (basic, premium and express bus services) are installed with a standard card reader as shown below.

What type of contactless cards can be used for SimplyGo?

bank All Mastercard and Visa^ contactless bank cards, including foreign-issued cards*, with the EMVCo Contactless Indicator, will be accepted in public transit.

^Some Visa contactless cards need to be updated to be compatible with SimplyGo. Impacted cardholders will be notified by their banks
*administrative and overseas transaction fees will apply


What if I do not have a contactless card?

You can use ApplePay and GooglePay to pay for public transport. I have used an OCBC Robinsons Visa credit card which has no contactless/ Paywave on it and have successfully used it on Singapore's public transport. 

The main thing here is to make sure you can add the credit card onto ApplePay or GooglePay in the first place and select that while you travel. 

Can I use Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay for SimplyGo?

Yes, you can use these as long as your device model and type supports this.

Is my phone model compatible for transit usage?

Below is a list of phone models and operating system versions which have been tested:

For Apple Pay:

Device ModelOS Version
iPhone XS12.0 (16A366)
iPhone XS Max12.1 (16B92)
iPhone XR12.1.4 (16D57)
iPhone X12.0 (16A5318d)
iPhone 811.4 (15F79)
iPhone 8 Plus11.4 (15F79)
iPhone 7 Plus11.4.1 (15F77)
iPhone 6 Plus11.4.1 (15G77)
Apple Watch Series 45.1.3 (16S535)
Apple Watch Series 34.0 (15R607)
Apple Watch Series 24.3.2 (15U70)
Apple Watch Series 14.3.2 (15U70)

For Fitbit Pay:
Device ModelOS Version
Fitbit Charge 328.20001.44.36
Fitbit Versa32.32.4.19

For Google Pay:
Device ModelOS Version
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge7.0
Samsung Galaxy S88.0.0
Samsung Galaxy S8+8.0.0
Samsung Galaxy Note88.0.0
Google Pixel 2 XL8.1.0
HUAWEI MATE 209.0
HUAWEI P309.0
Google Pixel 39.0
Google Pixel 3XL9.0
OnePlus 6T9.0

For Samsung Pay:
Device ModelOS Version
Samsung Galaxy S77.0
Samsung Galaxy S87.0
Samsung Galaxy S98.0.0
Samsung Galaxy S9+8.0.0
Samsung Galaxy Note88.0.0
Samsung Galaxy Note98.1.0
Samsung Galaxy Watch4.0.0.0
Samsung Galaxy S10e9.0
Samsung Galaxy S109.0
Samsung Galaxy S10+9.0
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active4.0.0.3

For Singtel Dash#:
Device ModelOS Version
Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018)8.0.0
Samsung Galaxy S109.0




#1. Tested on iOS v5.0.6 on Apple’s App Store and Android v5.0.2 on the Google Play Store
  2. For use in transit, Singtel Dash Visa Virtual Account has to be added to Apply wallet / Apple Watch
  3. For compatible NFC-enabled Android devices, Singtel Dash app can be used to pay for public transport fares directly
  4. Singtel Dash app installed on non-NFC enabled Android devices cannot be used in transit

Some mobile device models or mobile payment may not be accepted at our fare readers. Only tested devices are recommended for use in transit, although they do not represent the exhaustive list of accepted mobile device models at fare readers. If your mobile payment is not accepted, please contact your mobile payment provider for further assistance.

Can I use SimplyGo for my Ezlink or Flashpay card?

Yes. Commuters using SimplyGo can register for a SimplyGo account and link different contactless bank cards and stored value cards (i.e. Concession Cards, EZ-Link or NETS FlashPay cards) on the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal and via the TransitLink SimplyGo mobile app.

You may want to consider using this if you want to track your travel history and expenditure using the mobile app.

How do I register for a SimplyGo account?

You may visit the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal website or download the TL SimplyGo mobile app to register for a SimplyGo account. You will be required to create a password to login to your account.

Please login to your account and go to “My Cards” page to add your contactless bank card. For Singtel Dash users, please key in your 16-digit Transit Card Number found in the “Train/Bus” tab of the app.


Additional details available here - SimplyGo FAQ by Translink

Happy commuting! 

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