How Singaporean Commuters Can Travel Smart with Travel Smart Programme

In 2012, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore introduced its ‘Travel Smart Rewards’ (TSR) Programme. The intention behind this programme was to encourage commuters to move their travel times outside of peak morning periods and improve the overall commuter experience. LTA started to work with organisations to help commuters re-time, re-mode, and reduce travel journeys in 2014. Then in 2020, LTA introduced a new initiative called Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) to distribute peak-hour travel loads for more comfortable rides. The aim of this programme was to allow more efficient use of our public transport network. Here is how commuters can earn rewards and plan their journeys smartly with LTA’s new initiative.

• If commuters switch to Bus Service 43e when heading towards Paya Lebar and MacPherson can receive cash rewards. The express bus enables commuters to travel to major employment centres like MacPherson, Paya Lebar, and Marine Parade via the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway.

• Commuters can earn 150 points per trip, which is equivalent to $1.50. Commuters participating in the TSJ programmecan easily cover at least half of the express bus fares by converting their reward points.

• Commuters must register in the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal/mobile app. They can view their rewards under Rewards in the Travel Smart Journeys section within the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal or app. Rewards are available in denominations of SGD 5, 10, 15, and 20.

• Under the Travel Smart Programme, LTA also launched Travel Info Packs to provide residents with localised information on public transportation and active mobility options in their vicinity.

As rail and bus networks are expanding and ridership patterns are changing, LTA will change the scheme and focus on more localised initiatives. Similarly, transport operators like SMRT Corporation are introducing incentivised models for commuters. SMRT launched the WINK+ rewards app that awards points to users when they travel on the SMRT train network. All they need to do is scan WINK+ QR codes, participate in WINK+ Play activities, and drive through operational ERP gantries. Points earned can be redeemed at participating WINK+ merchants’ outlets.

In April 2020 during the circuit breaker period, SMRT launched the WINK+ from Home campaign. Users could continue collecting points by interacting with the in-app content or participating in Facebook posts. SMRT’s WINK+ Gates app engages users with the gamification strategy. Users can earn points island-wide beyond the SMRT network. Commenting on SMRT’s future plans for the transport network, SMRT Chairman, Seah Moon Ming, said: “Moving forward, we will innovate and develop new capabilities to grow the Company. We will continue to invest in People and Technology. Kaizen and continuous improvement efforts will also be deepened at the individual, system, and company levels.”

Conclusion

LTA and public transport operators are working together in enhancing rail networks and introducing new incentive models with changes in commuter travel patterns.LTA’s Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) will not only help in distributing peak hour public transport demand but commuters can enjoy their commuting experience with less crowded alternative modes of travel and earn rewards too.