Editing EZ-Link (section)

====Criticism and transitional issues====
Many commuters expressed dissatisfaction with the change,<ref name="Ng 2024 j292">{{cite web | last=Ng | first=Abigail | title=CNA Explains: Why some Singapore commuters are upset about moving from EZ-Link to SimplyGo | website=CNA | date=11 January 2024 | url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/simplygo-ezlink-commuters-reactions-lta-4040271 | access-date=15 January 2024 | archive-date=15 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115062104/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/simplygo-ezlink-commuters-reactions-lta-4040271 | url-status=live }}</ref> particularly the inability to ascertain the fares charged at the transaction points on buses and the MRT after their cards were upgraded to SimplyGo.<ref name="Tjoe 2024 r894">{{cite web | last=Tjoe | first=Lee Nian | title=askST: Why can't I see fares charged on card readers with SimplyGo? | website=The Straits Times | date=12 January 2024 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/askst-why-can-t-i-see-fares-charged-on-card-readers-with-simplygo | access-date=15 January 2024 | archive-date=15 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115014445/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/askst-why-can-t-i-see-fares-charged-on-card-readers-with-simplygo | url-status=live }}</ref> When the issue was raised in 2023, the LTA explained that, as most of the SimplyGo features involve back-end processing, riders could not view their stored value card balance and deductions at MRT fare gates and bus readers. The fare transactions could only be viewed on the SimplyGo app.<ref name="LTA 2023 b926">{{cite web | title=View SimplyGo transactions in app and at ticketing machines | website=LTA | date=10 October 2023 | url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2023/10/media-replies/view-simplygo-transactions-in-app-and-at-ticketing-machines.html | access-date=15 January 2024 | archive-date=15 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115011959/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2023/10/media-replies/view-simplygo-transactions-in-app-and-at-ticketing-machines.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The LTA said that while it would be possible to implement the feature for SimplyGo users, it would take "a few more seconds" for the information from the backend to be displayed at the fare gates, and hence would slow down commuters who were entering or exiting.<ref name="Yeo 2024 u694">{{cite web | last=Yeo | first=Nikki | title=Displaying fares, deductions at gantries under SimplyGo possible but 'will lead to longer queues': LTA | website=TODAY | date=12 January 2024 | url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/simplygo-display-fares-deductions-possible-longer-queues-lta-2341491 | access-date=15 January 2024 | archive-date=15 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115014556/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/simplygo-display-fares-deductions-possible-longer-queues-lta-2341491 | url-status=live }}</ref>

During the week after LTA's announcement, several commuters attempted to upgrade their EZ-Link cards to the SimplyGo platform. The high transaction volume caused the SimplyGo system to become less stable and responsive, resulting in longer processing times and failed upgrades that lead to commuters' cards being invalidated.<ref name="Ng 2024 c102">{{cite web | last=Ng | first=Abigail | title=Commuters run into problems upgrading EZ-Link cards amid complaints over switch to SimplyGo | website=CNA | date=12 January 2024 | url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/simplygo-ezlink-commuters-face-issues-upgrading-4043246 | access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref> On 19 January 2024, the SimplyGo upgrade feature on ticketing machines at MRT stations have been restricted to "TUK with Supervision".<ref name="Tjoe Yaohui Xuan 2024 q742">{{cite web | last1=Tjoe | first1=Lee Nian | last2=Yaohui | first2=Lim | last3=Xuan | first3=Leow Wen | title=Free exchange of Nets FlashPay cards at SimplyGo ticket offices postponed 'until further notice' | website=The Straits Times | date=19 January 2024 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/nets-postpones-free-exchange-of-flashpay-cards-at-simplygo-ticket-offices-until-further-notice | access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>

On 22 January, transport minister [[Chee Hong Tat]] announced that the LTA reversed their decision and decided to extend the use of the card-based system. Those who had converted their cards to the new SimplyGo system during the January period could revert to the old system if they preferred to at no additional cost.<ref name="LTA 2024 v425">{{cite web | title=Card Exchange for SimplyGo EZ-Link and Concession Cardholders | website=LTA | date=22 January 2024 | url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2024/1/news-releases/card-exchange-for-simplygo-ez-link-and-concession-cardholders.html | access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref> Chee also acknowledged that the issues encountered during the transition could have been avoided "with better preparation". An additional S$40 million (US${{ToUSD|40|Singapore|year=2020}} million) would be invested to maintain both systems.<ref name="Tjoe Yufeng 2024 x481">{{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}}</ref>