1.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has developed the next generation In-vehicle Unit (IU), also known as the dual-mode IU, that will accept the current NETS CashCards and the new CEPAS -compliant cards that will be launched later this year. With the new dual-mode IU, motorists have more choices in the stored value cards they use for the payment of ERP charges. On top of the existing NETS CashCards, they also have the option of using CEPAS-compliant cards for ERP transactions. The dual-mode IU also offers more features such as an automatic top-up function and the display of ERP charges deducted ( please refer to Annex 1 for detailed features on the dual-mode IU).

2.     The dual-mode IU will be introduced into the market in two phases. The first phase involves new motorcycles in August 2008, and the second phase, for new cars, taxis and other vehicles, will be introduced from early 2009.

3.     The cost of the dual-mode IU is $150 (before GST). This is the same as the current IU. Owners of existing vehicles can continue to use the current IUs in their vehicles. Motorists who wish to change their IU in their existing vehicles to the dual-mode IU after they have been launched may do so at LTA Authorised Inspection Centres. They are advised to call the Centres beforehand to make an appointment (please refer to Annex 2 for the list of Authorised Inspection Centres).

4.     The dual-mode IU is developed by LTA, MHI Engine System Asia (MHIESA) and D'Crypt Pte Ltd (D'Crypt). Development of the IU took two years. MHIESA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, the designer of the existing IU. D'Crypt is a local high-technology company that develops card readers for transit and non-transit applications.

5.     "IUs were first introduced in 1997 as part of the Electronic Road Pricing System. It is timely to introduce the new IUs to give motorists more choices and better features," said Mr Yam Ah Mee, Chief Executive of the Land Transport Authority.

6.     The dual-mode IUs are on display at the Intelligent Transport Systems Asia Pacific Forum and Exhibition which was opened by the Minister for Transport Mr Raymond Lim today.

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[1] CEPAS or Contactless E-Payment Application Standard is the Singapore standard for smart cards and their related devices, which replaces the existing Cashcard Standard. Introduced in 2006, CEPAS allows any smart cards that comply with the standard to be used across a wide variety of payment applications.

[1] Applicable to CEPAS-compliant cards only

Enclosures

• Annex 1: Features of the new dual-mode IU
• Annex 2: List of Authorised Inspection Centres