Commuters in Singapore’s north-east region are in for some good news! Starting from 2 January 2024, they can enjoy discounts of up to 80 per cent on their fares if they travel before 7.15am or between 8.45am and 9.45am. This initiative is part of the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) expanded Travel Smart Journeys programme, designed to encourage more commuters to travel outside typical rush hour.
Expanded Incentives for Commuters
To qualify for the discounts, commuters must tap in at specific MRT stations including Punggol Coast, Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, and Buangkok along the North East Line (NEL), as well as any station on the Punggol and Sengkang LRT lines. With these new incentives, commuters can earn points on the SimplyGo app, redeemable as e-vouchers.
- Points equivalent to an 80 per cent discount apply for NEL travel before 7.15am.
- Switching to eligible bus services during peak periods also qualifies for similar fare reductions.
- E-vouchers can be accumulated through consistent use of the designated travel cards.
Additional Bus Services Included
The programme is also expanding its bus service offerings. Starting from January, new services like City Direct Services (CDS) 660M, 675, 676, 677, and 678 will be included, alongside existing routes. Commuters hopping onto these buses during morning hours will receive points equivalent to an 80 per cent discount, helping to alleviate congestion during peak times.
Changing Travel Behaviour
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat highlighted that these enhanced fare rebates aim to encourage commuters to shift their travel patterns.
“We want to distribute the peak-hour load on public transport and share the resulting savings with the passengers,” he said during a recent media engagement.
How It Works
To take part in this rewarding programme, commuters need to register through the SimplyGo app and link their travel cards. Here’s a quick look at how the points and discounts work:
- Tap in before 7.15am: Earn points worth an 80 per cent discount.
- Between 8.45am and 9.45am: Points accumulate to offer a discount scale from 40 per cent to 80 per cent, depending on the exact timing.
For instance, an adult travelling from Damai LRT to Promenade MRT can earn points worth S$2.37 from a usual fare of S$2.96, effectively paying only 59 cents after redemption. Not too shabby, huh?
As the Travel Smart Journeys programme resumes after a temporary suspension on 25 November 2023 for system upgrades, it’s clear that managing public transport congestion will remain a priority for Singapore moving forward!