INSPASS

INSPASS, also known as the Integrated Non-Stored Payment Application Specification, is a discontinued payment specification in Singapore. It was designed to facilitate contactless payment for public transport and other services using a card-based system. The goal was to create a unified payment platform that could be used across various merchants and services.

INSPASS cards were initially intended to replace the existing magnetic stripe fare cards on public transportation. The system was gradually phased out with the introduction and widespread adoption of newer contactless payment technologies like CEPAS (Contactless e-Purse Application) and other forms of contactless bank cards.

The primary characteristic of INSPASS was its stored-value functionality. Users would load value onto the card and then use it to pay for fares and goods at participating merchants. Unlike stored-value cards with open-loop functionality (like some debit cards), INSPASS was generally a closed-loop system, meaning the card could only be used within the designated INSPASS network of merchants and services.

While INSPASS aimed to streamline payments and offer a convenient alternative to cash, it faced challenges related to compatibility with emerging technologies and competition from alternative payment solutions. The sunsetting of INSPASS reflected the ongoing evolution of payment systems in Singapore and the adoption of more versatile and widely accepted technologies.