For many households in Singapore, having a trusted domestic helper is key to managing daily routines — from childcare and elderly care to groceries and errands. And in a city with such an efficient public transport system, it's common for helpers to travel via MRT, LRT, or buses as part of their job.

A common question we hear at Teo Express, a licensed domestic helper agency in Singapore, is:

“Should I give my helper an MRT card? How do I track transport expenses?”

In this article, we share a simple, practical approach:
Use two separate MRT cards — one for work, one for personal use.

This builds transparency, reduces confusion, and makes life easier for both the employer and helper.

🚇 Why Your Helper Needs an MRT Card

Domestic helpers often need to travel independently as part of their job. This may include:

• Picking up or dropping off children at school
• Accompanying elderly family members to clinics or hospitals
• Running errands (e.g., buying groceries, collecting parcels)
• Going to the market or taking public transport to your home from the agency

Providing her with an MRT card for work-related travel shows trust and respect, while helping her carry out responsibilities efficiently.

💳 The 2-Card System: Simple and Clear

To avoid confusion between personal and work travel, we recommend having two MRT cards:

1. Work EZ-Link Card (provided and topped up by employer)

This card is meant only for work-related transport. You, the employer, purchase and top up the card when needed. It should be used when your helper:

• Runs errands on behalf of your household
• Travels with or for your children, elderly, or family
• Goes out during work hours as part of her duties

Tip: You can set a fixed monthly top-up (e.g., $20–30), or top up as needed based on her routine.

2. Personal EZ-Link Card (owned and managed by helper)

This card is for her off days and personal use, such as:

• Meeting friends on her rest day
• Visiting places of worship or recreation

The helper is responsible for topping up this card using her own funds. It’s separate from her work and should not be monitored or controlled by the employer.

Respecting her privacy and freedom on rest days is important — this card ensures clear boundaries.

🛍️ Where to Buy & Top Up EZ-Link Cards

MRT cards (EZ-Link or SimplyGo) are widely available and easy to manage:

• Purchase cards at MRT stations, convenience stores (7-Eleven), or online
• Top up at MRT stations, convenience stores, via SimplyGo mobile app, or with a NETS machine

You can even register the card on SimplyGo to track expenses — helpful for the work card if you want to monitor usage.

If you require receipts or usage records, the SimplyGo app provides easy access to travel history for each card.

💬 Communication Is Key

Before giving your helper a work MRT card, clearly explain the purpose of each card:

• When to use the work card vs her personal card
• What travel is considered "work-related"
• How to inform you if the card needs top-up

Having this conversation upfront prevents misunderstandings and shows mutual respect.

Most employers find that helpers use the card responsibly once boundaries are clearly defined.

🤝 Teo Express Supports Responsible Helper Management

At Teo Express, we help employers not just find reliable domestic helpers — but also build respectful, well-managed working relationships.

Whether it’s helping you onboard a new helper, providing advice on daily management, or ensuring compliance with MOM guidelines, we are here to guide you.

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