Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) is a Land Transport Authority (LTA) initiative used to distribute peak hour demand by incentivising alternative modes of travel. Commuters can earn points while doing so, which are exchangeable for public transport credits.
Since its introduction in February 2020, this scheme has been used to encourage morning-peak commuters to switch from the North East Line (NEL) to alternative bus routes. The third iteration of the scheme commenced on 2 January 2025, with a new reward structure, and new incentives for early and late morning peak travel.
Travel Smart Journeys (From 2 Jan 2025)
The current TSJ scheme incentivises North-East commuters to shift their travel time on the North East Line to pre- or post-peak periods; or switch to eligible bus services during peak periods.
Registration
Registration commences on 2 Jan 2025. Commuters (including concession cardholders and EZ-Link/NETS Prepaid/NETS FlashPay cardholders) can sign up for the TSJ by registering for the initiative via the SimplyGo app, under the Services tab.
Participants who have earned points in the past 6 months under the previous TSJ which was suspended in Nov 2024, will be automatically enrolled for the enhanced TSJ from 2 Jan 2025.
Eligible commuters (subject to the enrolment criteria below) will be notified of their eligibility within 72 hours after their registration. Once eligible, commuters will be able to view the TSJ dashboard in the SimplyGo app.
Enrolment Criteria
Commuters must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the TSJ from January 2025:
- Tap in between 7.15am and 8.45am at the following MRT / LRT stations on at least six weekdays (excluding public holidays) over the past 30 calendar days:
– Punggol Coast, Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok or Hougang MRT Station
– Any LRT Station along the Punggol & Sengkang LRT line
- Tap out at any MRT or LRT station, excluding stations on the Punggol and Sengkang LRT lines
Reward Mechanics
Eligible commuters will be awarded points based on their mode of travel, time of travel & fare paid on Weekdays (except Public Holidays).
| Mode | Time of Tap In | Points Awarded |
| MRT / LRT | Before 7.15am | 80% of journey fare payable |
| 8.45am – 8.59am | 40% of journey fare payable | |
| 9.00am – 9.30am | 80% of journey fare payable | |
| 9.31am – 9.45am | 40% of journey fare payable | |
| Bus Services | During morning peak hours (Board at designated bus stops & alight at designated bus stops) |
80% of journey fare payable |
| Express 43e | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
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| City Direct 654 |
|
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
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|
| City Direct 660 |
|
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 660M |
|
| 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 |
|
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| City Direct 675 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
| City Direct 676 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
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| City Direct 677 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
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| City Direct 678 | |
| Boarding Bus Stops | Alighting Bus Stops |
|
|
Points Conversion
Eligible commuters can redeem their points in 500-point blocks (equivalent to $5.00) for cash value into their travel cards.
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. A new replacement incentive scheme – Travel Smart Journeys – was announced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to be introduced “later this year”.
Travel Smart Journeys
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. The second iteration ended on 25 Nov 2024, with the last day for points earning on Friday, 22 November 2024.
The latest iteration of TSJ commences on 2 January 2025.
References:
- Travel Smart Journeys Gets a Boost: New Rewards and Expanded Options for Commuters – Land Transport Authority
Page 2: TSJ Scheme (Mar 2023 – Nov 2024)
Page 3: TSJ Scheme (Feb 2020 – Jul 2022)
Why is it that only the people living in North East singapore can enjoy such benefits of reduced travel cost?! What about those living in the west and east (like Jurong and Bedok)?!
They can try and farm out Loyang and Hougang packages together and integrate both routes if GASG gets control of both packages.
Loyang will retain and win Choa Chu Kang Bukit Panjang trust me…4 GAS buses will meet in Orchard 36,518,190 & 972….ASSMRT will either get Tampines or Sengkang.
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.