Free morning off-peak train rides in northeast Singapore reduced crowding by 9%: Jeffrey Siow

This applies to commuters that board at any of the six North East Line (NEL) stations between Punggol Coast and Kovan, or any Sengkang-Punggol Light Rapid Transit (LRT) station. 

When the scheme was announced, the Land Transport Authority had said that it would “moderate travel demand” during morning rush hour in the region and improve commuters’ experience. 

The stations along NEL and the Sengkang-Punggol LRT were chosen as they make up the busiest segment of the train network during morning rush hour, the authority said at the time. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT COST-OF-LIVING CONCERNS

One of the government’s priorities was to get support out as soon as possible for drivers, platform workers and other essential services that were affected by the fuel price spikes, said Mr Siow. 

“We also worked very closely with the providers to make sure that those services were not disrupted,” he added. 

Noting the measures rolled out to address cost-of-living concerns as a result of the Middle East crisis, Mr Siow said the second tranche of the U-Save and Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates in July will be important because electricity prices are expected to go up that month after the new fuel inputs are incorporated into the electricity formula. 

These rebates are part of the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme – they offset utilities expenses and S&CC for lower- and middle-income HDB households. 

Mr Siow, who is also Senior Minister of State for Finance, had previously announced in parliament in April a new S$1 billion support package in response to the war in Iran, on top of what was committed at Budget 2026. 

Singaporeans will receive higher Cost-of-Living special payments and platform workers will get cash relief under the new measures. 

Originally due in January 2027, the next tranche of S$500 in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers will instead be disbursed in June this year.

“These are all together, a whole series of support between now and through the third quarter of this year. It will help immediately with the impact on fuel prices,” said Mr Siow on Sunday. 

“We are watching the situation carefully, and if the situation changes or deteriorates, the government will, of course, consider whether or not to do further support.” 

When asked if the impact of the Middle East crisis will be reflected in this year’s public transport fare revision exercise, the acting transport minister said: “I think we have to wait. The fare review process hasn’t really started yet. I think there is a process for taking it through, I think we have to let them do their work.”