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Where to Buy Cash Card in Singapore – 6 Options Explained

NETS Cash Card with Chip

Need help finding where to buy a Cash Card? This guide will show you where to purchase one and what types are available.

And also how to reload and check your balance online, and whether you can use EZ-Link cards as Cash Cards for ERP.

We break down everything you need to know about cash cards in Singapore!


What is Cash Card and how does it work?

A Cash Card allows you to pay for carpark fees and ERP charges like a prepaid debit card.

When the vehicle passes through an ERP or electronic carpark gantry, its IU deducts fees from the CashCard.

You can also use it for public transport and retail outlets.

The newer cards offer auto-reloading, top-up, and balance checking via an app.

What are the different types of Cash Cards available in Singapore?

Six types of NETS Cash Cards are available in Singapore:

  • Cashcard (with Chip)
  • Cashcard (Contactless)
  • FlashPay
  • Prepaid Card
  • vCashCard
  • Motoring Card
Where to Buy or Top-upCash Card with ChipCash Card (Contactless)FlashPayPrepaid CardMotoring CardvCashCard
7-11, CheersTop-upBuy or Top-upBuy or Top-upBuy or Top-up
ATM (DBS, POSB, OCBC, UOB)Top-upTop-upTop-upTop-up
Buzz PodBuy or Top-upBuyBuy
Custom CardsBuyBuyBuy
FairPrice XpressTop-upTop-upBuy or Top-upTop-upBuy
LazadaBuyBuyBuy
NETS Customer Service CentreBuyBuy or Top-upBuy
Re CreationsBuyBuy
Shell, Caltex, SPC, EssoBuy or Top-upBuy
ShopeeBuy
TransitLink Ticket OfficeTop-upBuy
NETS AppTop-upTop-upBuy, Top-up
NETS WebsiteBuy, Top-up
NETS Top-Up Machines & Self-Service StationsTop-upTop-upTop-upTop-up
General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) at MRT StationTop-up
TransitLink Add Value Machine Plus (AVM+)Top-up
How Much?$10 with $5 stored value$10 with $5 stored value$5 with $0 stored value$5/10 with $0/$5 stored value$10 with $5 stored valueFree
Compatible with 1st Gen IUYesNoNoNoNoYes
Compatible with 2nd Gen IUNoYesYesNoYesYes
Compatible with Future OBUNoNoNoNoYesUnknown

NETS CashCard (with Chip)

NETS Cash Card with Chip
NETS Cash Card with Chip

It is the original cash card introduced in 1995. It’s a chip-based card that you can use to make payments for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and car park charges.

This card is only compatible with a first-generation in-vehicle unit (IU).

Where to Buy a NETS CashCard with a Chip?

How Much is a Cash Card (with a Chip)?

It only costs $10, including an initial stored value of $5. The cost of the card is non-refundable at $5.

How to Reload Your Cash Card (with a Chip)?

At ATM (DBS/POSB, OCBC or UOB) Machines:

  1. Insert your ATM Card and enter your PIN
  2. Select the NETS Cash Card Top-up option
  3. Retrieve your ATM Card
  4. Insert your Cash Card
  5. Choose the desired amount
  6. Retrieve your cash card when prompted

At Convenience Stores:

  1. Visit 7-11,* Cheers* or FairPrice Xpress Online Locator*
  2. Give your card to the cashier and specify the amount you wish to pay

*A service fee may be applicable

At NETS Top-Up Machines & Self-Service Stations:

  1. Visit Top-up Locations
  2. Simply insert the Cash Card
  3. Follow on-screen instructions

NETS CashCard (Contactless)

NETS Contactless Cash Card
NETS Contactless Cash Card

Use this contactless NETS Cashcard to pay for ERP and car parks with the NFC technology. Tap your card onto the reader to complete payment. You can also use the card to pay in certain retail outlets.

This card is only compatible with a second-generation “dual-mode” in-vehicle unit (2GIU).

Where to Buy a CashCard (Contactless)?

The new NETS Motoring Card replaces the NETS CashCard.

How Much is a CashCard (Contactless)?

It costs $10 and includes a $5 stored value. The $5 card cost is not refundable.

How to Top-up a CashCard (Contactless)?

At ATM Machine:

  1. Visit DBS, OCBC, POSB or UOB ATMs
  2. Insert your ATM Card and enter your PIN
  3. Choose the NETS Cash Card Top-up option
  4. Select NETS Flash Pay/Contactless Cash Card
  5. Take back your ATM Card
  6. Insert your Cash Card
  7. Select your desired amount
  8. Retrieve your Cash Card when prompted

At Convenience Store:

CashCard (Contactless) top-up instructions are like a Cash Card (with a Chip).

At Top-Up Machine & Self-Service Station:

  1. Visit Top-up Locations
  2. Tap Cash Card against the card reader
  3. Follow the instructions displayed on the screen

NETS FlashPay

NETS FlashPay Card
NETS FlashPay Card

The NETS FlashPay card targets non-drivers and uses NFC technology for contactless payments. You can use it for public transport, retail purchases, ERP and car park charges.

This card is only compatible with a 2GIU.

Where to buy a FlashPay Card?

How much is a Flash Pay Card?

It costs $5 and includes a $0 stored value. It is not refundable.

How to Top-up FlashPay Card?

At ATM Machines:

NETS Flashpay Card topping-up instructions are like a CashCard (Contactless).

At Auto Top-Up Machines & Self-Service Stations:

  1. Visit MRT Stations’ General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) or;
  2. Top-Up Machine & Self-Service Station or;
  3. TransitLink Add Value Machine Plus (AVM+)
  4. Insert/place Flash Pay Card
  5. Follow on-screen instructions

Manual Top Ups At Counter:

  1. Visit 7-11*, Buzz Pods*, Cheers*, and FairPrice Xpress* or;
  2. Customer Service Centre of NETS (operating from 8.30 am till 5.30 pm, Mon to Fri) or;
  3. Shell, Caltex, SPC, or Esso petrol stations or;
  4. TransitLink Ticket Office Located at MRT Stations or Bus Interchanges
  5. Hand your Flash Pay Card to the cashier and state the desired amount.

*A service fee may be applicable

Online:

  1. Download Apps*: Play Store (Google) or App Store(Apple)*
  2. Follow on-screen instructions

*A service fee may be applicable


NETS Prepaid Card

NETS Prepaid Card
NETS Prepaid Card

You can use the Prepaid Card as an alternative to cash. It’s accepted at all NETS retail points and for public bus and train fares. It adopts NFC technology for contactless payments. But you cannot use it for ERP and parking charges.

This card is NOT compatible with either an in-vehicle unit (IU, 2GIU) or the upcoming on-board units (OBU).

Where to buy a Prepaid Card?

How much is a Prepaid Card?

It costs $5 when purchased online and $10 when purchased from physical shops.

Both options include an initial stored value of either $0 or $5 and refunds for $5 card costs are unavailable.

How to Top-up Prepaid Card?

At Convenience Stores:

Prepaid card top-up instructions are like a Cash card (with Chip).

Online:

Prepaid card top-up instructions are like a FlashPay Card.


NETS Motoring Card

NETS Motoring Card
NETS Motoring Card

The new stored value Motoring Card is replacing the NETS CashCard for all car park and ERP charges.

To pay for parking with it, insert it into the IU or future OBU and wait for auto deduction to occur at the gantry. Or tap and hold on to the carpark reader (or exit readers) at the gantry when auto deduction fails.

It also works in HDB car parks using Electronic Parking System (EPS) and provides free insurance from HL Assurance.

The card has an expiry date on the back to track its validity.

It is compatible with a 2nd gen of dual-mode IU (2GIU) and a future On Board Unit (OBU) for the next-generation ERP system.

Where to buy NETS Motoring Card?

How much is NETS Motoring Card?

The NETS Motoring Card costs $10 per card, including an initial stored value of $5.

How to Reload Your NETS Motoring Card?

At ATM Machine:

NETS Motoring Card top-up instructions are like a CashCard (Contactless).

At Convenience Store:

  1. Visit 7-11* or Cheers*
  2. Hand over your NETS Motoring Card to the cashier and state the desired amount

*A service fee may be applicable

Online:

Motoring Card top-up instructions are like a FlashPay Card.

At Auto Top-Up Machine (All Car Parks):

  1. Visit Top-up Locations
  2. Select NETS Flash Pay/Contactless CashCard
  3. Tap NETS Motoring Card against the reader
  4. Follow the instructions displayed on the screen
  5. Retrieve your Motoring Card

NETS vCashCard

NETS vCashCard
NETS vCashCard

vCashCard is a virtual wallet for paying ERP, which requires no physical card. You can signup through the vCashCard website or app. It provides auto top-up service and transaction viewing.

It is compatible with first and second-generation IUs.


How to Check Cash Card Online?

Holders of a FlashPay, Prepaid Card or new NETS Motoring Card can check their balances and transactions histories online via apps.

It’s available for download on Play Store (Google) or App Store(Apple).

You can use the EZ Link card on the 2nd-gen Dual mode IU and On-Board Unit (OBU) of the next-generation ERP system.

Where can I use a cash card in Singapore?

Depending on your cash card type, you can use it for public transport, retail purchases, ERP fees and car park charges.


In Conclusion

NETS CashCards (with chip) are great for 1st-generation IU.

The NETS Motoring card and EZ Link cards are ideal for 2nd-generation IU & future OB.

In contrast, NETS FlashPay and Prepaid Cards are perfect for public transport and retail shopping.

To avoid carrying a physical card, vCashCard works with both 1st- and 2nd-gen dual-mode in-vehicle units.

What do you think?

Written by Patrick Tan

Meet Patrick, the word wizard of Daily.SG! He whips up news about Singapore that's so simple, even toddlers give him a thumbs up. When he's not writing, you'll find him sipping milk tea, gliding on skates, or striking a yoga pose. Dive into his stories and feel the sprinkle of fun and a whole lot of heart!

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