These were some of the interesting facts gathered from the EZ Link people who came to my office to talk about the card features:

1) The card and its technology was actually developed and produced by Sony (Phwa!)

2) Unlike the cash card, where its the chip that reads the value, our EZL card is detected by the reader through the entire perimeter of the card.

3) Usually, after you alight from 1 bus and change to another bus/train, there will be some deductions from the next fare right? However, if you happen to take the exact same bus number, i.e. you alight from bus 136 to buy something, and then take 136 again to continue your journey, THERE IS NO DEDUCTION OF YOUR NEXT BUS FARE AT ALL! The policy is that deductions are given for those taking different buses/trains to complete ONE journey. So if you take the same bus number twice consecutively, the reader treats it like you are going on 2 journeys, not 1. But this is essentially SBS Transit's issue lah, and has nothing to do with the EZL card.

4) Currently, EZL cards can also be used at certain merchants, such as MacDonalds. However, for those who opt to top up their cards through GIRO and credit card, their cards can ONLY be used for transit purposes. According to the TransitLink people, this is to help protect the liabilities of the merchants and consumers, should the card go missing. Currently, if you lose a card which is connected to your bank account, you are only liable up to $10, if the person who picked up your card goes on a transit spree. If this card is allowed to be used at other merchants, there is really no limit as to how much the person can spend using your EZL card.

Thought it was quite good to know more about this humble card which we have all became so reliant on everyday....