Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) is a Land Transport Authority (LTA) initiative to distribute peak hour demand by incentivising alternative modes of travel. Since its introduction in February 2020, this scheme has been used to promote peak-hour travel by bus instead of train, with points awarded being exchangeable for public transport credits.
The scheme was relaunched in its second iteration on 20 March 2023, and now incentivises travel of peak-hour routes parallel to the North East Line.
Background
In January 2012, the Incentives for Singapore’s Commuters (INSINC) scheme was introduced to reward commuters who travel on the rail network during designated “de-congesting hours” on weekday mornings. This scheme was renamed Travel Smart Rewards (TSR) in 2014.
Under this scheme, commuters could earn points when travelling during the “de-congesting hours” of 6.15am–7.15am & 8.45am–9.45am. The number of points awarded would depend on commuters’ status tier (based on the number of de-congesting trips taken per week) and distance travelled on the rail network during these hours. These points could be directly redeemed as cash top-ups on their registered transit card at a fixed ratio, or used to obtain variable travel values via online games on the Travel Smart Rewards site such as Snakes & Ladders.
In April 2017, the scheme was “enhanced” (or more accurately, devalued) in the form of reduced per-trip incentives, fixed per-trip points earnings (rather than distance-based), shorter points validity period, and ill-defined pre-peak times, which were recommended by the TSR platform based on a user’s overall travel patterns. Friend referral points and tiered statuses were also eliminated. However, commuters could still redeem travel credits at fixed conversion rates or through online games at the revamped TSR site.
The Travel Smart Rewards scheme was discontinued in June 2019, with the new incentive scheme – Travel Smart Journeys originally announced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to be introduced “later this year”.
Travel Smart Journeys
See also: Previous TSJ Scheme (Feb 2020 – Jul 2022)
On Saturday, 8 February 2020, Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) was formally launched. In its first iteration, the scheme rewarded northeast commuters with points for taking Express 43e during the weekday morning peak hours. These points were then exchangeable for public transport credits. The scheme was suspended on 9 July 2022 to review it, with LTA citing shifting travel patterns due to hybrid work arrangements.
On 20 March 2023, TSJ was reinstated for its second iteration and expanded to include more bus services. On top of Express 43e, the scheme adds City Direct services 654, 660, 666, 671 and 672.
Travel Smart Journeys – North-East Line Scheme (From 20 Mar 2023)
To Qualify:
To be eligible for this scheme, commuters have to:
- Register for TSJ via the SimplyGo Portal or mobile app, and
- Tapped in at least 4 weekdays (excluding public holidays) between 7.00 am to 9.00 am at one of the following stations in the past 30 calendar days before the day of registration:
Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok, Hougang MRT station, or
Any LRT station along the Punggol and Sengkang LRT lines
To Earn Points:
Commuters will earn points for every qualified trip taken on the designated bus services.
For a trip to be qualified, commuters have to:
- Board at designated bus stops and tap in between 7.00 am to 9.00 am
- Alight and tap out at designated bus stops
Designated Bus Services & Points Awarded
| Service | Points Awarded |
| Express 43e | 150 points (equivalent to SGD 1.50) |
| City Direct 654 | 150 points (equivalent to SGD 1.50) |
| City Direct 660 | 150 points (equivalent to SGD 1.50) |
| City Direct 666 | 150 points (equivalent to SGD 1.50) |
| City Direct 671 | 150 points (equivalent to SGD 1.50) |
| City Direct 672 | 150 points (equivalent to SGD 1.50) |
| City Direct 673 | 100 points (equivalent to SGD 1.00) |
Designated Boarding & Alighting Stops
| Express 43e | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 654 |
|
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 660 |
|
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 666 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 671 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 672 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 673 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
Signing Up for Travel Smart Journeys
Commuters have to sign up for a SimplyGo account before registering for “Travel Smart Journeys” at the TSJ Settings page (web portal) or TSJ Settings tab (mobile application). They will also need to nominate their most frequently used travel card, which will be used to determine their eligibility for the scheme and for the awarding of points.
Conversion of Points
Commuters can convert points to electronic transport vouchers at the “Travel Smart Journeys” Rewards page (web portal) or the Rewards tab (mobile application).
The minimum point value for cash out is 500 points, which redeems for a $5 e-Transport Voucher.
References
Page 2: Previous TSJ Scheme (Feb 2020 – Jul 2022)
They can try and farm out Loyang and Hougang packages together and integrate both routes if GASG gets control of both packages.
Just merge 82/107 and half the problems faced by Punggol residents heading to CBD will be solved. Trust my word.
Problem is that the merged route is too long-winded and slow compared to taking NEL so may not be a viable alternative. Punggol needs a 190/972 style full day service to CBD utilising KPE and ECP.
107 travels via Upper Serangoon Road which is the most direct route from CBD to the NE region.
An 82-107 merger is unfeasible as it means that 107M has to be dealt with. Furthermore, the two services are in different packages and different operators. This supposed merger would be too long, windy and slow than to take services like 666. Not to mention that the M variant, should it exist, would be ridiculously long. Best bet is to introduce a new City Direct or to improve frequencies and fleet on 666.
Actually, I also doubt the effectiveness of this initiative, considering there is already the $0.50 discount off train journeys for passengers who start their train journeys before 0745hrs on weekdays. Which, the purpose is to encourage people to take the train before 0745hrs.
In order for this initiative to work, the direct bus to the employment places must be comparable to taking the train to the employment places. In terms of price, and journey time.
I understand where the government is coming from. Am not a Sengkang or Punggol resident, so I’m not eligible for this, and I don’t know whether the $1.50 discount offered is attractive, because after all, besides cost, the other considering factor is travelling time, and most importantly, whether 43e can actually substitute the MRT.
The $0.50 discount for commuters who start their train journey before 0745hrs on weekdays is already good enough.
The other is the City Direct bus services.
I rather we not do anything else with regards to changing travel patterns. The above-mentioned incentive and initiative is already good enough.
Because anything else is just for show; redundant.