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STOMPer Michael said he tried to top-up his EZ-Link card with $10 of 10-cent coins, but this was refused by SMRT staff who quoted an MAS ruling.
Wrote Michael:
"This happened today (Aug 24) around 3.20pm at the Bras Basah MRT customer service counter.
"The staff member serving at the counter did not want to accept the coins for top up.
"He could not explain why when I asked him in English and showed me the card stating the Monetary Authority of Singapore ruling and asked another staff member in civilian clothes to help.
"He said they do not accept coins up to $2 only if it is less than a $1 denomination.
"When I asked why, he showed me the card stating the MAS ruling again.
"I read the guidelines and it says purchases made.
"I am topping up my MRT stored value card and do not think that I am making a purchase.
"When both of them could not answer me, another staff member came, I think he is a supervisor; and he showed me the card again.
"When I told him I could read that, he raised his voice at me and 'slashed' me to count the coins before passing to him.
"On seeing that I was not getting through to them, I took back my $10 of 10 cent coins and topped up my card using the other coins which were in $1, 50 cents and 20 cents denomination.
"I said to him,'Thank you for your customer service,' and walked away.
"He did not even look at me.
"Is SMRT right in refusing to top up the card using coins of above $2 if the denomination is less than $1?
"Aren't all these coins legal tender in Singapore?
"Furthermore, I was not making a purchase, I was just topping up.
"Please enlighten us. Thank you."