Popularity of Enhanced Travel Smart Journeys Initiative
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) initiative, specifically regarding its adoption rates, impact on North East Line crowding, and Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik’s suggestion to automate fare incentives. Minister of State Jeffrey Siow shared that January enhancements increased rebates to 80% and added bus services, resulting in 7,000 more commuters benefiting from the scheme. Minister of State Jeffrey Siow explained that enrollment via the SimplyGo app is maintained over automatic incentives to facilitate point accumulation and encourage sustained commuter engagement. Minister of State Jeffrey Siow reported that eight in 10 of these commuters adjusted their travel times on the North East Line, while the remainder switched to taking buses. The Land Transport Authority intends to continue enhancing the TSJ initiative to attract more participants and further reduce peak-hour crowding on the rail network.
Transcript
57 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Acting Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider streamlining the Travel Smart Journeys initiative by allowing fare incentives to be automatically applied at the point of payment, rather than requiring prior enrolment through the SimplyGo app.
58 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) what is the current adoption rate of the enhanced Travel Smart Journeys initiative which requires commuters to enrol via the SimplyGo app to receive fare incentives, and (b) whether the Ministry intends to increase participation among eligible commuters; and (c) if so, how so.
59 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry has seen a noticeable impact on peak-hour crowding at the North East MRT Line stations as a result of the enhancement of the Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) initiative on 2 January 2025; and (b) if so, whether details can be shared about TSJ's effect on crowding.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) initiative was introduced in February 2020 to encourage commuters to adjust their commute away from busier segments of our mass rapid transit (MRT) network during the morning peak period. In January this year, we enhanced the initiative by introducing incentives for commuters who shift the timing of their travel, increasing the maximum rebates to 80% of fares and adding more bus services which qualify for the rebates.
Consequently, approximately 7,000 more commuters have benefitted. Instead of taking the North-East Line (NEL) during the morning peak period, about eight in 10 adjusted their travel time on NEL to before or after peak hours, while the rest switched to taking buses. Adoption rate of Travel Smart Journeys is still low and we are looking to enhance the programme to encourage more commuters to consider shifting their timing or changing their mode of transport.
To enjoy the benefits of TSJ, commuters can easily enrol through the SimplyGo app. Points can then be calculated and awarded to their account for each eligible journey. Use of the SimplyGo app allows commuters to accumulate points before redeeming in blocks and encourages sustained use of the TSJ programme. The Land Transport Authority will continue to improve TSJ to benefit more commuters.