It might be a dream comes true for some. For those who travel frequently to Taiwan, here is a piece of good news. Today, EZ-Link and EasyCard signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to jointly develop a cross border multifunctional contactless card and an interoperable smart card systems platform. With this card, tourists in both countries can enjoy even more conveniences to shop or travel (on public transport).
However, do note that this is the start of the collaboration. Not sure how long it will take to develop the card (at least not that I know of). Read the Press Release for more details.
Press Release
EZ-Link and Taiwan’s EasyCard Corporation Sign MOU to Develop Cross Border Combi Card
A first of such collaborations between Singapore and Taiwan to push cashless transactions beyond geographical boundaries via a unified smart card platform and a single card
SINGAPORE, 2 June 2014 – EZ-Link Pte Ltd, Singapore’s largest issuer of CEPAS-compliant cards and EasyCard Corporation, Taiwan’s contactless smart card system operator, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to jointly develop a cross border multifunctional contactless card and an interoperable smart card systems platform to facilitate greater tourism and business travelling between Singapore and Taiwan.
Mr. Nicholas LEE, CEO of EZ-Link Pte Ltd and Mr. CHANG Chia-Sheng, Chairman of EasyCard Corporation signed the MOU, with Mr. HAU Lung-Bin, Mayor of Taipei City presiding over the ceremony.
Under the MOU, EZ-Link and EasyCard Corporation will integrate both the ez-link and EasyCard electronic purses into one single card, known as the Cross Border Combi Card. When the card is implemented, visitors between Singapore and Taiwan will be able to enjoy a seamless, highly convenient and secure commuting and shopping experience on the public transportation and retail networks of both places.
In 2013, Singapore welcomed about 400,000 visitors from Taiwan, while Taiwan received approximately 360,000 tourists from Singapore, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications. To date, EZ-Link and EasyCard Corporation have issued 17 million CEPAS ez-link cards and 45 million pieces of EasyCard respectively in Singapore and Taiwan.
“EZ-Link’s MOU signing with EasyCard Corporation is significant as it showcases our technological prowess in interoperable smart card systems and brings us closer to the vision of having one single card for commuting and shopping not just within Singapore, but across international borders,” said Mr. Nicholas LEE, CEO, EZ-Link Pte Ltd. “We are privileged that EasyCard Corporation has selected EZ-Link as its first foreign smart card systems partner to develop such cross border contactless card solutions. We are confident of making many technological breakthroughs to uplift business and social connectivity between Singapore and Taiwan to a whole new level.”
“EasyCard and EZ-Link have been engaging in frequent exchanges over the years in technology and service applications of smart card systems, and this MOU will strengthen collaboration from both side and create more convenience for people in Taiwan and Singapore,” said Mr. CHANG Chia-Sheng, Chairman, EasyCard Corporation.
In addition to contributing to the development of the multiple stored-value card and an interoperable platform, EZ-Link will also share its pioneer contactless e-ticketing technology with EasyCard Corporation under the MOU, with the goal of offering electronic tickets to popular tourist attractions to visitors between Singapore and Taiwan. Currently, with the Singapore Tourist Pass Plus, besides enabling visitors to Singapore to zip around conveniently in its public transportation network, EZ-Link has also integrated rides and tours in the Pass for visitors to enjoy Singapore’s sights and sounds.
For more information on EZ-Link and EasyCard, please visit www.ezlink.com.sg and www.easycard.com.tw respectively.
# # #
About EZ-Link Pte Ltd
EZ-Link Pte Ltd was formed on 8 January 2002. Its core business is the clearing and settlement of all EZ-Link card transactions generated in transit and non-transit (retail/merchant) environments, as well as the sale, distribution and overall management of EZ-Link cards. To date, more than 17 million new CEPAS-compliant EZ-Link cards have been issued. This is in tandem with the government’s plan to promote cashless payments in Singapore. In line with this vision, the new EZ-Link card is now also accepted as a mode of payment for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and at carparks fitted with the Electronic Payment System (EPS) when used in the dual-mode in-vehicle unit.
[ad#img]