Transport Arrangements for the Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures

On 3 April 2020, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on COVID-19 announced an elevated set of safe distancing measures, as a circuit breaker to pre-empt the trend of increasing local transmission of COVID-19. These would take effect for 4 weeks from Tuesday, 7 April 2020 till Monday, 4 May 2020.

On 21 April 2020, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the circuit breaker measures will be extended for 4 weeks till Monday, 1 June 2020.

Some of the measures taken are:

• Closure of most physical workplace premises, except services that are required to remain open to support daily needs
• Full Home-Based Learning for Schools
• Closure of Recreation Venues, Attractions and Places of Worship

These measures would significantly reduce passenger demand for public transport. In view of this, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would be reducing service levels and suspending selected bus services.

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Suspension of Bus Services

Public Bus Services were suspended in 2 tranches, with adjustments made later. The first tranche of suspended bus services took effect from Wednesday, 8 April 2020, while the second tranche of bus service suspensions started from Wednesday, 15 April 2020.

The suspensions would last till Monday, 1 June 2020.

However, Bus Service 128 will be withdrawn on 2 June 2020. In addition, selected bus services would continue to be suspended until further notice beyond 1 June 2020.

 

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Operator Posters

Suspension from 8 April 2020:

Suspension from 15 April 2020:

Adjustments announced on 23 April 2020:

Updated Posters for extended Circuit Breaker period:

 

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MRT & LRT Service Changes during Circuit Breaker Period (Effective 17 April 2020)

From Friday, 17 April 2020, changes to train operating hours and frequency will take effect till the end of the circuit breaker period on Monday, 1 June 2020.

This includes:

• Reduced train service frequency for MRT & LRT Lines
• MRT & LRT Daily Early Closure
• Thomson-East Coast Line Early Closure & Late Opening
• Cancellation of East West Line Early Closure for Rail Renewal Work

Main Article: Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures – MRT & LRT Early Closures & Reduced Frequencies

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Premium Bus Services

In addition to these public bus services, various Premium Bus Services (PBS) operated by private bus operators such as MyBus.com.sg (Loh Gim Chong Transport) & Commute Solutions will also suspend premium bus services during the circuit breaker period.

PBS operated by MyBus.com.sg will operate with reduced operating hours, while PBS operated by Commute Solutions continue to be suspended post-circuit breaker.

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Transport in Sentosa

From 7 April 2020 until further notice, the following measures would be in place:

• Reduced operating hours for Sentosa Express: 7am – 7pm daily.
• Suspension of Singapore Cable Car Network (Sentosa & Mt Faber Lines).
• Suspension of Beach Shuttle services.
• Suspension of Sentosa Bus C Service
• Reduced frequency for Sentosa Bus A and B
• Reduced operating hours for RWS8: 6am – 9am & 6pm – 9pm daily
• Taxi / Private Hire drop-off and pick-up point relocated to Beach Station carpark basement level near Lift B from 2 March 2020

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Shuttle Bus Services

Shuttle services for various shopping malls and attractions such as the following are also suspended.

Reduced Service:

• NUS Internal Shuttle Bus

Suspended until further notice:

• Parkway Parade Shuttle Services
• Changi Airport – Changi Business Park Shuttle
• Changi Airport – Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal Shuttle

Temporary Suspension:

• Great World City Shuttle Bus Services (13 Apr – 4 May)

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Public Transport during COVID-19

In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, authorities have urged commuters to avoid non-essential travel to reduce the number of commuters on public transport. Commuters who are feeling unwell should not use public transport. Commuters who are sick and must travel, do so during off-peak periods and wear a mask.

At the same time, Public Transport Operators have stepped up cleaning efforts on buses, trains and at MRT stations and bus interchanges.

Additional Safe Distancing Measures on Public Transport

Main Article: Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures – Elevated Safe Distancing Measures on Public Transport

During the Circuit Breaker period, LTA implemented additional safe distancing measures on public transport across Singapore.

Safe distancing stickers labelled “Please do not sit here” and “Please stand here” would be progressively rolled out on all trains, train stations, buses, bus stops and bus interchanges.

In addition, the number of commuters allowed to enter train stations and board buses will be limited by Transport Ambassadors. They would also ensure commuters onboard buses and trains comply with the safe distancing measures.

Thermal scanners are also deployed at selected MRT stations to screen commuters before they enter the train station. Commuters with fever would be denied entry and advised to seek medical attention at the nearest clinic immediately. These scanners were first deployed at Tiong Bahru and Serangoon MRT Stations and more were progressively added to the network.

Commuters would be required to wear masks on public transport, with Transport Ambassadors reminding commuters to do so.

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Pro-Rated Refund of Monthly Concession Pass

TransitLink will automatically refund the pro-rated unused value of the Monthly Concession Passes (MCP) of all concession cardholders that were purchased before 4 April 2020 due to the Government’s announcement of the closure of workplace premises as well as full home-based learning in schools and Institutes of Higher Learning in response to the COVID-19 situation.

The pro-rated refund will be based on the period from 7 April to 4 May for all concession groups, as well as from 8 April to 4 May forstudents shifting to home-based learning, or up to the pass expiry date, whichever is earlier.

The refunds can be made from 5 May 2020 through offsetting the cost of a new concession pass at TransitLink’s Ticket Office or redeemed as a transport e-Voucher can be used to top up their travel cards at any TransitLink’s Add Value Machine (AVM) and TransitLink Kiosk (TL Kiosk)

Suspension of TransitLink’s Ticket Office Operations

TransitLink will suspend the operation of 38 Ticket Offices from 8 April till the end of the circuit breaker period. Commuters are encouraged to use TransitLink’s digital services such as the AVMs, TL Kiosks, e-Services on TransitLink website and TL SimplyGo mobile app.

In light of the added social distancing measures, Commuters who need assistance with concession related matters can still visit the Concession Card Replacement Offices located at Admiralty, Buona Vista, Somerset & Bukit Panjang MRT Stations, as well as at Ang Mo Kio, Hougang, Jurong East, Tampines & Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchanges. These offices will be open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm, except Public Holidays.

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No Extension of Bus & Train Operating Hours on Eve of Public Holidays

On the Good Friday Eve, Thursday, 9 April 2020, there would not be any extension of bus & train operating hours due to the Circuit Breaker measures.

A poster by Tower Transit regarding the extension of bus operating hours on Good Friday Eve was published one week before the Circuit Breaker measures were announced. This poster was subsequently removed.

Similarly, no extension of bus & train operating hours would be in place for Labour Day Eve on Thursday, 30 April 2020, Vesak Day Eve on Wednesday, 6 May 2020 and the Hari Raya Puasa public holiday period.

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References

• Circuit Breaker to Minimise Further Spread of Covid-19 – Ministry of Health
• Service Announcement – Temporary Suspension of Bus Services – SMRT Buses
• Tower Transit Facebook Post
• Go-Ahead Singapore Facebook Post
• Selected bus services to be temporarily suspended – SBS Transit
• Public Transport during COVID-19
• Pro-Rated Refund of Monthly Concession Pass – TransitLink
• COVID-19: Additional safe distancing measures implemented on public transport – CNA
• Getting around Sentosa – Sentosa
• Shuttle Services – Changi Airport
• Coronavirus: All commuters have to wear masks on public transport, even after circuit breaker period, says Khaw Boon Wan – The Straits Times