Travel Smart Journeys Schemes

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.

From 20 March 2023, the scheme would be relaunched in its second iteration, covering six bus services: Express 43e, and City Direct services 654, 660, 666, 671 and 672.


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:

  1. Register for TSJ via the TransitLink SimplyGo Portal or mobile app, and
  2. Tapped in at least 4 weekdays (excluding public holidays) between 7.00am to 9.00am at one of the following stations in the past 30 calendar days prior to 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 150 points (equivalent to SGD 1.50) 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
Designated Boarding & Alighting Stops
Express 43e
Boarding Bus Stops Alighting Bus Stops
  • Punggol Pl
    – Punggol Temp Int (65009)
  • Punggol Ctrl
    – Punggol Stn/Int (65259)
    – Bef Blk 264 (65409)
  • Punggol Way
    – Aft Soo Teck Stn (65141)
    – Twin Waterfalls (65431)
  • Sengkang East Rd
    – Blk 286B (67591)
    – Opp Sengkang General Hosp (67411)
    – Sengkang Community Hub (67441)
  • Sengkang Ctrl
    – Blk 204C (67611)
    – Buangkok Stn Exit B (67601)
  • Paya Lebar Rd
    – Opp Trinity @ Paya Lebar (70279)
    – Citipoint Ind Bldg (70269)
    – MacPherson Stn Exit B (70259)
    – CISCO Ctr (81101)
    – Paya Lebar Stn Exit B (81111)
  • Tg Katong Rd
    – Tg Katong Cplx (82119)
    – CDAC Bldg (82099)
    – Aft Ipoh Lane (82089)
    – Tg Katong Girls’ Sch (82079)
    – Bef Katong PO (92169)
  • Amber Rd
    – Opp Amber Gdns (92249)
  • Marine Parade Rd
    – Opp Parkway Parade (92041)
    – Opp Blk 72 (92051)
City Direct 654
Boarding Bus Stops Alighting Bus Stops
  • Anchorvale St
    – Farmway Stn Exit A (67319)
    – Cheng Lim Stn Exit A (67429)
  • Compassvale St
    – Blk 291A (67439)
    – Compassvale Stn Exit B (67259)
  • Rivervale Dr
    – Rivervale Pr Sch (67231)
    – Rumbia Stn Exit B/Blk 153 (67221)
    – Bakau Stn/Blk 122F (67131)
    – Blk 119D (67141)
    – Kangkar Stn Exit B (67151)
  • Ctrl Blvd
    – Marina Bay Stn (03539)
    – Downtown Stn Exit E (03529)
  • Shenton Way
    – UIC Bldg (03129)
    – Opp MAS Bldg (03218)
City Direct 660
Boarding Bus Stops Alighting Bus Stops
  • Buangkok Green
    – Opp Blk 968 (66481)
  • Hougang St 91
    – Hougang Sec Sch (64521)
  • Hougang Ave 4
    – Blk 687 (64609)
    – Blk 681 (64419)
  • Hougang Ave 8
    – Blk 608 (63379)
    – Opp Xinmin Pr Sch (63389)
    – Blk 632 (63399)
  • Orchard Rd
    – Dhoby Ghaut Stn (08057)
  • Bras Basah Rd
    – Bencoolen Stn Exit B (08069)
    – Aft Bras Basah Stn Exit A (04179)
    – Raffles Hotel (02049)
  • Nicoll Highway
    – Opp War Memorial Pk (02119)
  • Collyer Quay
    – OUE Bayfront (03019)
  • Raffles Quay
    – One Raffles Quay (03059)
  • Shenton Way
    – UIC Bldg (03129)
    – Opp MAS Bldg (03218)
City Direct 666
Boarding Bus Stops Alighting Bus Stops
  • Punggol Dr
    – Damai Stn Exit A (65309)
    – Oasis Stn Exit A (65319)
    – Kadaloor Stn Exit A (65329)
  • Punggol East
    – Bef Punggol Ctrl (65189)
    – Riviera Stn Exit A (65239)
  • Punggol Field
    – Coral Edge Stn Exit A (65179)
    – Meridian Stn Exit A (65169)
    – Cove Stn Exit A (65159)
    – Blk 201A (65209)
    – Opp Blk 272C (65341)
    – Opp Blk 268D (65331)
  • Punggol Way
    – Twin Waterfalls (65431)
  • Anson Rd
    – Mapletree Anson (03241)
  • Robinson Rd
    – Aft Capital Twr (03111)
    – 80 Robinson Rd (03071)
  • Marina Blvd
    – The Sail (03381)
    – Marina Bay Financial Ctr (03391)
City Direct 671
Boarding Bus Stops Alighting Bus Stops
  • Punggol Rd
    – Opp The Rivervale (65011)
  • Sengkang East Ave
    – Ranggung Stn Exit B (67219)
  • Compassvale Rd
    – Blk 203 (67209)
  • Compassvale Dr
    – Blk 204 CP (67349)
  • Anchorvale Dr
    – Nan Chiau High Sch (67359)
    – Blk 306 CP (67369)
  • Anchorvale Rd
    – Anchor Green Pr Sch (65809)
  • Sengkang East Ave
    – Opp Blk 310B (67329)
  • Sengkang West Ave
    – Layar Stn Exit A/Blk 417A (67479)
    – Opp Fernvale Stn (67489)
    – Fernvale Pr Sch (67499)
    – Aft Jln Kayu (68019)
  • Anson Rd
    – Mapletree Anson (03241)
  • Robinson Rd
    – Aft Capital Twr (03111)
    – 80 Robinson Rd (03071)
  • Marina Blvd
    – The Sail (03381)
    – Marina Bay Financial Ctr (03391)
City Direct 672
Boarding Bus Stops Alighting Bus Stops
  • Hougang St 51
    – Blk 568 (64431)
    – Hougang G. Shop Mall (64441)
  • Buangkok Green
    – Blk 579 (64461)
  • Hougang Ave 4
    – Opp Blk 913 (64619)
  • Hougang St 51
    – Blk 574 (64561)
  • Hougang Ave 8
    – Blk 535 (64361)
    – Blk 436 (64031)
    – Punggol Pk (64079)
  • Upp Serangoon Rd
    – Blk 355 (64059)
    – Opp The Midtown (64049)
  • Hougang Ave 5
    – Blk 327 (64249)
  • Hougang Ave 7
    – Opp Blk 316 (64239)
  • Anson Rd
    – Mapletree Anson (03241)
  • Robinson Rd
    – Aft Capital Twr (03111)
    – 80 Robinson Rd (03071)
  • Marina Blvd
    – The Sail (03381)
    – Marina Bay Financial Ctr (03391)

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)

11 thoughts on “Travel Smart Journeys Schemes

  • 22 March 2023 at 3:56 PM
    Permalink

    They can try and farm out Loyang and Hougang packages together and integrate both routes if GASG gets control of both packages.

    Reply
  • 19 March 2023 at 12:32 AM
    Permalink

    Just merge 82/107 and half the problems faced by Punggol residents heading to CBD will be solved. Trust my word.

    Reply
    • 19 March 2023 at 9:31 PM
      Permalink

      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.

      Reply
      • 21 March 2023 at 6:57 PM
        Permalink

        107 travels via Upper Serangoon Road which is the most direct route from CBD to the NE region.

        Reply
    • 21 March 2023 at 9:43 PM
      Permalink

      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.

      Reply
  • 10 February 2020 at 4:58 PM
    Permalink

    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.

    Reply

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