79,000 applications for Public Transport Vouchers in first four days

SINGAPORE – Some 79,000 residents have applied for public transport vouchers in the first four days of the 2014 Public Transport Voucher Exercise.

This year, S$7.5 million from the Public Transport Fund has been set aside to fund 250,000 public transport vouchers, worth S$30 each, to help needy families cope with the increase in public transport fares from April 6.

Unlike previous years, where applicants had to make two trips to the Community Centres and Clubs (CCs) to apply and then collect the vouchers, the process is more convenient now.

Applicants this year only need to make one trip to the CC nearest to their homes to apply for the vouchers. Successful applicants will receive a letter by post, which will serve as their voucher, to be presented at any TransitLink Office to top up their travel card, or purchase a monthly concession pass.

For added convenience, successful applicants can also top up their travel card at any of the 74 Add-Value-Machines located at selected MRT stations, interchanges and bus stops, thereby avoiding having to queue at the TransitLink Offices.

A joint statement from the Transport Ministry and People’s Association said that unlike the last Public Transport Voucher Exercise in 2011, where there was a deadline for applications, this year’s exercise will be open for applications year-round. CHANNEL NEWSASIA