The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will set up points at 23 community centres or clubs during selected weekends over the next few months for them to make the exchange.

Currently, commuters can get their cards replaced only at TransitLink ticket offices, selected bus interchanges and Singapore Post (SingPost) outlets.

Making the service available at community centres close to residential areas will make it easier for senior citizens and busy working adults to replace their cards, said the LTA.

Existing ez-link cards must be replaced with the new ones by Sept 30, after which the current fare system will be changed.

The new cards can be used to pay for Electronic Road Pricing charges and retail purchases, besides public transport fares.

To date, around 2.4 million ez-link cards have been replaced, said the LTA yesterday.

And to encourage more commuters to get their new cards, EZ-Link, the LTA-owned firm issuing the cards, will give away prizes to the 2.5 millionth commuter to get his or her card replaced.

The prizes include a pair of air tickets to Hong Kong, an extra $50 top-up value in the new card and one year of free insurance coverage.

These items are sponsored by SingPost and ACE Insurance.

YEO GHIM LAY