MP proposes free travel on public transport before peak hours

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris—Punggol GRC Janil Puthucheary has raised the idea of free travel on public transport before peak hours to change their travel patterns.

Speaking during the Budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr Puthucheary urged public transport operators to consider providing commuters free travel within a certain time period outside rush hour. This could reduce the crush during peak hour travel.

Dr Puthucheary noted that currently train operators give discounts to encourage commuters to travel early.

He said: "If we can afford it, have all travel on public transport until the start of peak hour, free? If that’s too great a leap, then maybe for example, every weekday morning for 30 minutes or an hour, ending at 7.45am, commuters can travel for free.

"Will this distort behaviour? Yes, that’s the whole point. This will attract more people to change their travel patterns, compared to any discount."

—CNA/ac