LTA launches dual-mode In-vehicle Unit for cars

[Latio79]

Just received this news from MCF newsletter:

http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/article.php?AID=2275

 

Isn't it a bit unfair for car owners who purchased their rides recently?

Anyone interested will have to pay $150 for the new IU..

 

LTA launches dual-mode In-vehicle Unit for cars

 

From 30 June 2009, new car owners will have their vehicles fitted with the new generation In-vehicle Unit (IU). 30 Jun 2009 | Local News Viewed : 1,269 times

 

 

The new IU is designed to accept both the existing NETS CashCard and CEPAS-compliant cards such as the new CEPAS-compliant ez-link card.

 

Motorists have a choice to use either the NETS CashCard or the CEPAS-compliant ez-link card once the cars are fitted with the dual-mode IU.

 

On top of the existing NETS CashCard, motorists with dual-mode IUs also have the option of using CEPAS-compliant cards for parking charges at Electronic Parking System (EPS) car parks that support the CEPAS standard from October 2009 when these EPS car parks are progressively upgraded. Details will be announced at the end of September 2009.

 

On top of accepting both CEPAS-complaint stored value cards and existing NETS CashCard's, the new IU also supports CEPAS-compliant cards that allow for automatic top-up if the remaining stored value is below a pre-determined amount. The top-up feature may be activated at the point the card is purchased.

 

To easily differentiate new from old, the dual-mode unit is 34% to 50% smaller than the current IU, depending on the vehicle class.

 

Car owners are not required to change their current IU to the dual-mode IU. Nevertheless, motorists who wish to change to the new IU may do so at LTA Authorised Inspection Centres at a cost of $150 (before GST and inclusive of installation). Motorists are advised to call the Centres beforehand to make an appointment.

 

Since the introduction of the dual-mode IU last year, more than 17,300 vehicles have been fitted with the new IU. This comprises 14,900 motorcycles from September 2008 and 2,400 taxis/other vehicles from March 2009.

 

For enquiries on the dual-mode IU, motorists may call LTA at 1800 CALL LTA (1800 225 5582).

[Mustank]

i don understand

 

why should i pay 150 for the new cash card reader?

 

current one working well rite?

[Latio79]

Find it quite ridiculous too.. But we can have the choice not

to install the new IU la. Just find that new car owners who

gotten their rides quite "lugi" in a way..

 

 

[Watwheels]

Have you guys notice that some carparks like Wilson Parking have this sign that shows the cashcard and the crossed out ezlink card? Meaning their system can only detect cashcards. Having the new IU unit now is not that great as the carparks system will take some time to upgrade.

[Leepee]

Unless the authorities are going to phase out the normal cash card and only Cepas card available, I don't see the need to upgrade to the next IU for existing owner.

 

[Mustank]

if they phase out cash card and go for cephas cards, is it a form of anti-competition?

[Watwheels]

Cashcards are easier to top up. ATMs & AXS machines are almost everywhere, queues are short. But ezlink card is either mrt station or bus interchange to do top up, must join queue with ppl taking trains & buses, long queue.

 

It's a stupid system anyway. Why can't the IU be link to a bank account number to car owners name and just deduct the funds from there? So freaking troublesome.

[Ahyoo2002]

Cashcards are easier to top up. ATMs & AXS machines are almost everywhere, queues are short. But ezlink card is either mrt station or bus interchange to do top up, must join queue with ppl taking trains & buses, long queue.

 

It's a stupid system anyway. Why can't the IU be link to a bank account number to car owners name and just deduct the funds from there? So freaking troublesome.

 

Recently I saw some POSB ATM can top up EzLink card too.

[Alim]

i don understand

 

why should i pay 150 for the new cash card reader?

 

current one working well rite?

 

Agreed. Is not like we are using the new IU to make $, but it is the garmen who is using it to make $ from us. One more card option means more of your $ stored elsewhere but not in your pocket.

 

Crazy to pay if you ask me.

 

For all you know, new things will come with new prob (despite all the testing they have done). For those itchy backside go change, end up may waste time go for IU inspection.

 

It aint't broken, don't fix it.

Edited July 3, 2009 by Alim

[Jacf]

think when Cepas ezlink cards are more widely used, all ATMs in SG will be able to top up the Ezlink cards... some banks have already planned or start this top up service at their ATMs.

[Emkay]

Unless it is much smaller (e.g. coin size sensor near windscreen with card reader in glove compartment), it looks as big and ugly on our rides.

 

No point.

 

Oh just in case anyone didn't notice, we actually have to pay for the current IU when we buy our new car. there's always a $150 component say IU. But some sales exec they absorb lar .. then again, you are still the one paying.

[Mustank]

if iu unit is linked to bank account, many iu unit may go missing

[Ary14i]

I've just got my car 2 weeks ago and I did get the new IU. One carpark let me in but don't let me out. the carpark people no clue about the new IU and blame my IU, but I have no problem with HDB car park using this IU.

anyone else with new IU?

 

ezlink can link to bank (and in the future, new version of cashcards can link to bank as well)

 

 

[Blueray]

 

saw a sign at Toa Payoh Central also, only NETS cash card accepted.

 

 

[Silver_blade]

saw a sign at Toa Payoh Central also, only NETS cash card accepted.

Isn't that the case everywhere else in s'pore?

[Phang79]

you can link it to credit cards

[Bystander50]

Have you guys notice that some carparks like Wilson Parking have this sign that shows the cashcard and the crossed out ezlink card? Meaning their system can only detect cashcards. Having the new IU unit now is not that great as the carparks system will take some time to upgrade.

 

This is just another screw up or monopoly awarded for xx years to Nets to use their cashless feature.

Contactless cards are not new, HK had been using it since the 90s, why didn't they think of dual mode IUs then?

 

[Nolicense]

Hi,

 

Don't mean to thread jack. The current crop of cash cards are still faulty right? after use for a while the IU will not read the cash card properly. They have said they will replace the defective batch of cash cards. Till now I don't hear anything. Latest info is the new cash cards are pink color that I hear from the IU testing people. But I went to ask got no such thing.

 

Anybody got info? Thanks