New concession pass for off-peak travel

SINGAPORE — A monthly pass for off-peak travel, costing less than other monthly travel concession passes now, will be introduced to encourage people to travel during off-peak hours, and reduce their spending on transport.

Available from July 5 as a two-year trial, the Off-peak Monthly Travel Pass is available to adults, people with disabilities and senior citizens. Adults will pay S$80, while people with disabilities and senior citizens will pay S$40.

Expected to benefit about 40,000 commuters — based on current travel patterns — the trial will be funded by the Government to the tune of S$10 million a year.

Peak periods run from 6.30am to 9am and 5pm to 7.30pm on weekdays. Apart from off-peak periods on weekdays, the pass can also be used all day on weekends and public holidays.

Announcing the pass yesterday, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) said the trial aims to encourage commuters who are able and willing to make changes to their daily schedules to travel during off-peak hours.

Currently, 60 per cent of journeys take place during off-peak periods, said the Land Transport Authority. Prices of off-peak passes are two-thirds those of other monthly travel passes. For example, an Adult Monthly Travel Pass costs S$120.

Asked whether the authorities were anticipating a surge in travel during off-peak periods, an MOT spokesperson said some commuters who travel close to off-peak periods could shift their travel patterns slightly.

“Nonetheless, this is the first time we have offered such passes and some time is required to monitor the take-up and assess shifts in travel patterns. If need be, we will make the necessary adjustments.”

Meanwhile, close to 16,000 Adult Monthly Travel Cards have been issued since the scheme was launched last year. Among the cardholders, an average of 9,000 bought Adult Monthly Travel Passes each month between July and December last year. Yesterday, SBS Transit said it will be withdrawing its SeasonPass, launched in 2006 to offer unlimited bus rides.

Commuters whom TODAY spoke to said they were unlikely to adjust their travel patterns. Office administrator Adeline Huang, who leaves her home in Bedok for work at 6.30am and knocks off at 5.30pm, felt it was not worth waking up earlier to benefit from the pass. “I still have to pay the regular fare when I end work. It’s just not worth it,” said the 52-year-old.

Administrative worker Joyce Ong, 25, said she would not consider purchasing the pass, although she spends S$80 a month on transport and commutes during off-peak hours in the morning, as she would rather not have her schedule revolve around transport costs.