About 8% of commuters on the North East Line have shifted out of the morning peak period (between 7.30am and 9.00am) since the launch of the free morning off-peak rail rides and enhanced Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) programmes on 27 December 2025. Participation in TSJ has also more than doubled over the same period. Together, these measures help to moderate travel demand during the morning peak and improve the commuting experience for commuters in the North-East.

Free Morning Off-Peak Rail Rides

2.        The proportion of commuters who shifted out of the morning peak has grown steadily, from about 6% in early January to nearly 8% in the week of 2 February 2026. As a result, passenger volume along the busiest stretch of the NEL (i.e. Kovan) during morning peak has reduced by a factor equivalent to adding two extra trains or 20 more buses. The passenger volume distribution on NEL is also more evenly spread out during the morning peak period, as indicated in Figure 1.

3.        Under the programme, commuters who tap in at any of the 6 NEL stations between Punggol Coast station and Kovan station, or any Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) station, before 7.30am or between 9.00am and 9.45am on weekdays (excluding public holidays), enjoy free travel for the first rail trip of the journey. No registration is required. Commuters simply tap in and out using the same fare card or payment mode.

Enhanced Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ)

4.        Since 27 December 2025, TSJ has been simplified and enhanced. The requirement for a qualifying travel history has been removed, and the eligibility window has also been aligned with the free morning off-peak rail travel period. Commuters who take connecting bus services before or after their free morning off-peak rail travel will earn 80% rebate of their connecting bus rides when they sign up for TSJ. Alternatively, commuters who switch to eligible express bus services instead of the NEL, will earn 80% rebate on their journey fare.

5.        Before the enhancements, 11,000 commuters were participating in the TSJ. Since 27 December 2025, 14,500 new participants have signed up, bringing total participation to 25,500. This is more than double the previous number. On average, about 2,100 commuters benefit daily, with 1,600 receiving discounts for bus rides before/after a free rail ride and another 500 switching to express buses. This is the equivalent of half an extra train.

Complementing Network Enhancements in the North-East

6.        We encourage more commuters to adjust their travel timing or mode to benefit from the free ride and bus fare discounts. To increase awareness, publicity materials have been installed at prominent locations across the six NEL stations between Punggol Coast station and Kovan station including sheltered walkways and wall murals in the stations. Publicity materials will also be installed progressively at high visibility locations such as station entrances.

7.        These measures complement ongoing efforts to enhance public transport connectivity and the commuter experience in the North-East region.

a.        In mid-December 2025, five new City Direct Services (CDS) were introduced to connect residents in Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol Towns to city areas such as the Central Business District and Orchard. These services qualify for discounts under the TSJ scheme.

b.        The SPLRT fleet is being expanded to increase overall passenger capacity, with seven new two-car Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) deployed since July 2025, with 18 more new two-car LRVs to be deployed progressively.

c.        The Cross Island Line, due to open in stages from 2030, will provide commuters with more route options and help distribute passenger load in the North East region. We also plan to commence engineering studies for the Seletar Line this year, focusing on the first phase which will provide more travel options for residents in the Northeast.

8.        LTA will continue to monitor travel patterns and commuter feedback to refine these travel incentives as well as public transport capacity where necessary.