Introduction

SINGAPORE — Starting January 2, commuters traveling from the northeast region will enjoy stunning discounts of up to 80% on their fares if they plan their journeys around morning peak hours. This initiative is part of Singapore's expanded Travel Smart Journeys program, which aims to alleviate overcrowding on public transport during busy hours.

The program initially focused on encouraging commuters to swap their MRT travels for bus rides, but it has now broadened its scope. By enticing travelers to take the train earlier or later, the initiative seeks to spread out the commuter load during the peak hour rush on weekday mornings. Participants who make these adjustments can earn points, convertible into attractive e-vouchers.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has revamped the enrollment criteria for this program while ensuring current users won’t need to re-register. After a temporary pause since November 25 for system upgrades, the program will be back in action from January 2.

Who Can Join?

To reap the benefits of the Travel Smart Journeys program, commuters need to register via the SimplyGo app and connect their travel cards. These cards are crucial for tracking eligibility and awarding points based on usage. Here are the key eligibility criteria:

- Commuters must travel between 7:15 AM and 8:45 AM for at least six weekdays of the past month, excluding public holidays.

- Eligible MRT stations for check-in include Punggol Coast, Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, and Buangkok, while check-out can be at any MRT or LRT station, except for stops on the Punggol and Sengkang LRT lines.

- Once registered, individuals will be notified of their eligibility within 72 hours and can check their rewards through the SimplyGo app. Good news for concession cardholders, they can also join in on the savings!

Rewards can be redeemed in blocks of 500 points and applied directly to travel cards.

Morning Bus Benefits

Commuters opting for designated bus services during morning operational hours can amass points equivalent to an 80% fare discount. For instance, a journey from Damai LRT to Promenade MRT would cost S$2.96 (around US$2.18), but switching to a bus could yield 237 points worth S$2.37, resulting in a final travel cost of just 59 cents.

Eligible bus services include Bus 43e and City Direct Services (654, 660, 666, 671, 672, 673, and 660M). New City Direct Services (675, 676, 677, and 678) will also be introduced on January 2. The operational hours for these buses will run from 6:20 AM to 9:30 AM.

Pre- and Post-Peak Hour Discounts

Commuters willing to adjust their travel times can receive either a 40% or 80% discount, depending on their travel time. If your journey starts before 7:15 AM, expect an 80% discount!

Between 7:15 AM and 8:45 AM, no Travel Smart Journeys discounts apply; however, a different scheme offers a S$0.50 discount for tap-ins before 7:45 AM. The discount structure means commuters can still enjoy substantial savings during their journeys.

As an example, a trip from Sengkang MRT to Raffles Place MRT before 7:15 AM would start with a fare of S$1.93. After the S$0.50 discount, a commuter would earn 114 points worth S$1.14, with the effective total dropping to just 29 cents!

From 8:45 AM to 8:59 AM, a 40% discount is available, which increases to 80% from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM but reverts to 40% between 9:31 AM and 9:45 AM.

Conclusion

Don’t miss this golden opportunity to save big! With significant fare reductions and a user-friendly app to track your rewards, it’s the perfect time to rethink your commuting patterns in Singapore’s bustling northeast!