From Thursday, March 6, commuters will be able to apply for a new travel card that caps monthly spending on train and bus fares to $120.

This new adult monthly travel card will allow its holders to buy a $120 monthly travel pass for unlimited rides on trains and basic bus services. Express bus services and other premium bus services are excluded from this pass.

All Singapore citizens and permanent residents can apply for the card.

Fare operator TransitLink encouraged interested applicants to apply online through its website at www.transitlink.com.sg or its mobile services app, which is available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

Applicants will have to make a credit or debit card payment of $128 - this comprises $120 for the pass, a one-time non-refundable card cost of $5 and a $3 personalisation fee. Those who apply online or through the mobile app will receive their card within three weeks of submission, said TransitLink.

This means those who apply by March 16 will receive their card before April 6, when the new fares and concessions such as the monthly pass scheme kick in.

Card holders will have to activate their monthly travel card and select its start date at any TransitLink ticket office or concession card replacement office.

TransitLink said it will extend operating hours at selected ticket offices, set up more counters at selected MRT stations and bus interchanges, as well as deploy service ambassadors to provide help. It will provide more details at a later date.