How open data and gamification can make Singapore’s urban travel greener

AROUND the world, governments have embarked on open-data initiatives such as open banking and open retail, where collected data is freely shared. In Singapore, one example is SimplyGo, a fintech platform developed by the Land Transport Authority.

Any user of public transit in Singapore can freely register an account with SimplyGo. Based on the payment cards used when tapping in and out of buses and MRT gantries, users can download data on their bus and train rides over the past 180 days.

The platform provides the origin, destination, and time of each transit ride. The user is free to share these transactions or combine them with transactions from other platforms in any way that might be useful.