SMRT to increase early bird travel discount to 50 cents

SINGAPORE: SMRT will increase the Early Travel discount to 50 cents, from 30 cents, from 6 August. SMRT will also extend this discount to Circle Line stations.

The 50—cent discount will benefit passengers on the North—South East—West Lines (NSWEL), Circle Line (CCL) and Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) who arrive at 14 city area stations before 7.45am on weekdays (Mondays—Fridays, excluding public holidays).

The 14 city area stations are Bugis, City Hall, Dhoby Ghaut, Lavender, Orchard, Outram Park, Raffles Place, Somerset and Tanjong Pagar, and the newly added CCL stations Bayfront, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Marina Bay and Promenade.

SMRT’s executive director and interim CEO, Mr Tan Ek Kia, said: "We are seeing positive results attributable to the early travel discount. We are optimistic that when other external factors are aligned, for example, flexi—work hours and lifestyle changes, we will see more shifts."

The early morning travel discount was introduced in June 1997 to encourage travel during morning off—peak hours.

Last October, SMRT raised the discount to 30 cents for commuters who travel early and exit designated stations within the city area before 7.45am, a—15 minute extension.

— CNA/ck