SINGAPORE — An estimated 10,000 commuters, or six to seven trainloads of passengers, have started travelling outside the morning rush-hour between 8am and 9am, said Senior Minister of State (Transport) Josephine Teo today (July 14).

Speaking at the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) Travel Smart Day event, she attributed this shift in ridership patterns to demand management measures. These include the Travel Smart Network pilot and the free pre-peak travel scheme, which was recently extended till June 30 next year.

In May, the LTA announced that the free pre-peak travel scheme — which provides free train rides for commuters tapping out at 18 MRT stations before 7.45am — had shifted 7 to 8 per cent of commuters out of the 8am to 9am peak period.

“This supplements our efforts to add capacity from the supply side and shorten wait times for commuters,” Mrs Teo said during the event which was held at Suntec City Convention Centre.

“The upshot is this: Even for commuters who are unable to shift out of peak travel in the morning, they are benefiting from less crowded trains during the morning peak .... in most stations, more commuters have been able to board the first or second trains.”

Since the launch of the Travel Smart Network last August, more than 60 companies with a combined staff strength of over 160,000 have come on board. The programme has three segments – a corporate-tier rewards scheme, a consultancy voucher valued at up to S$30,000, and a government grant.

Companies can receive government grants for encouraging employees to walk or cycle to work, or to commute during off-peak periods. For instance, the Travel Smart Grant — capped at S$80,000 per year — can be used to offset the costs of installing bicycle parking facilities or organising morning exercise sessions.

Accounting firm EY, formerly known as Ernst and Young, is one company that has tapped on the grant to co-fund the distribution of breakfast vouchers to employees who arrive before 8am. It also offers flexible work arrangements, which tie in with the LTA’s schemes to promote off-peak travel.

Other companies, such as DBS Bank, are also keen to apply for the grant.

“It ties in well with our existing flex-work arrangement programme, which helps our staff better manage their existing personal and work commitments,” said Ms Theresa Phua, the bank’s human resource head in Singapore.

Bank employee Cresencia Lee, a finance analyst, used to leave for work at 7.30am. These days, she steps out at 8.45am — designated by LTA as “de-congesting hours” — to take the train from Sengkang to Marina Bay.

“I have more family time now. In the mornings, I’ll work out with my mum at the gym and then we’ll have breakfast together,” said Miss Lee, 28, who recently won S$402 for travelling during off-peak hours and chalking up points under the rewards scheme.

About 5 per cent of the bank’s 9000-odd employees are currently on board the travel smart programme.

Ms Phua added that the bank will also be engaging a consultant to analyse employees’ travel patterns and draw up a travel demand action plan.

“Perhaps, the consultant can suggest some programmes such as health activities or even breakfast for staff, so that they will come in (earlier) in the morning,” she said.