Students from the Ministry of Education’s primary, secondary, junior college, and Millennia Institute can now opt to convert their student concession card to a SimplyGo School Smart Card (SSC) starting from 7 September 2024. This conversion can be done at selected ticketing machines in all MRT stations and bus interchanges, as announced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The initiative follows feedback from parents and students seeking the convenience of remote top-ups via the SimplyGo application.
## Background
The SimplyGo School Smart Card (SSC) aims to streamline the process of managing student travel cards. The feedback-driven move allows parents to top up their children’s cards remotely, addressing a common concern about the inconvenience of physical top-ups. This change is part of a broader effort to modernise and simplify public transport payment systems for all commuters.
## SimplyGo benefits
Converting existing SSCs to SimplyGo offers several advantages:
– **Remote top-ups**: Parents can top up their children’s cards without needing a physical card.
– **Monthly concession passes**: Purchase passes on the go.
– **Automatic top-ups**: SimplyGo cards can be set to top up automatically when the balance is low.
– **Lost card management**: Instantly block lost cards and arrange for refunds to another card or bank account.
Students will continue to enjoy subsidised fares for public transport and can use the card for purchases at Smart Buddy Terminals in schools and for retail purchases. For assistance with the conversion process or the SimplyGo app, parents and students can contact the SimplyGo Hotline at 1800-2255 663 from 8am to 6pm daily, excluding public holidays.
## Future implications
This initiative is expected to enhance the convenience and efficiency of managing student travel cards. By allowing remote top-ups and automatic balance management, the SimplyGo SSC reduces the need for physical interactions, aligning with broader digitalisation efforts. The success of this programme could pave the way for similar innovations in other sectors, further integrating technology into daily life.
