SimplyGo fixes two-day pre-peak discount glitch that affected 210k daily journeys

SINGAPORE – An issue that caused pre-peak discounts not to be applied for SimplyGo EZ-Link and bank card transactions on Aug 20 and Aug 21 has been rectified.

In a Facebook post on Aug 21, the company said that a configuration error affected an average of 210,000 journeys each day.

The correct fares are now reflected in the SimplyGo app, with discounts applied where eligible, said the company. “This is the fare which will be charged.”

Under the Morning Pre-Peak Fare Scheme, introduced in 2017 to encourage people to travel before the morning peak hours, commuters who tap in before 7.45am at any rail station across Singapore on weekdays (excluding public holidays) can get up to 50 cents in savings.

The discount quantum is 50 cents or the fare for the train trip of the journey, whichever is lower.

Some affected commuters took to social media when they realised they had been charged full fares despite being eligible for the discounts.

On social media platform Reddit, a commenter posted on Aug 22 that they tapped in at 7.44am that day, which is before the 7.45am cut-off, but were charged the full fare.

The same user said they even verified on the fare gates that the discount was still active.

Another user said on the same thread that they realised they were charged full fares on both days.

According to its website, SimplyGo is an initiative launched by the Land Transport Authority in 2019 to make commuting easier and more convenient by providing a range of e-payment options for use on public transport.

The company – formed from a merger between EZ-Link and Transit Link – was established in 2024 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LTA.

Affected commuters who still have queries about their fares can contact its hotline on 6883 5048, SimplyGo said in its Aug 21 statement.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank commuters for their patience and understanding,” it added.