More incentives to encourage off-peak travel on trains

More discounts and incentives are on the way for train commuters who travel during off-peak periods. 

Peak hour travel is a tight squeeze for many. 

But authorities hope a slew of improved incentives will change just that. 

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew announced this during a visit to Clementi MRT Station. 

Firstly commuters can look forward to more discounts under the SMRT Early Travel Discount Scheme. 

Instead of the current 30 cents, they will get 50 cents off their fares starting August 6. 

This would apply if they end their journey before 7.45am on weekdays at stations in the city area. 

Five more stations on the Circle Line will also be eligible for the discount. 

But some commuters had their reservations. 

"Everyone will travel at a certain time, they won't want to change it for such a small thing." 

"I think it's good for the general public, but I think if you need to reach work on time it doesn't really matter." 

Currently, three to four percent of commuters have shifted their travel time out of the morning peak hour. 

And Mr Lui hopes this will double. 

"But we also don't want to shift it in a very significant way, because that would possibly be an overload on the pre-peak period. There are those who will choose to stay with their current travel arrangements, we can understand that. But for as long as we are able to incentivise some people to shift their travel patterns, travel a little bit earlier in the morning for example, I think we would have achieved our goals." 

Another initiative, the "Incentives for Singapore's Commuters" study will also be extended by 18 months. 

The reward system provides credits and cash rewards for those who shift their weekday peak period trips to off-peak periods. 

-By Olivia Siong