Commuters in northeast Singapore will soon enjoy complimentary rail travel during off-peak hours, as part of a year-long initiative to reduce congestion on one of the nation’s busiest train lines. The free train rides northeast Singapore programme, announced by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow on 18 October 2025, aims to distribute morning peak demand more evenly whilst improving the commuting experience for residents in rapidly growing estates like Punggol, Sengkang, and Hougang.

When Do Free Train Rides Northeast Singapore Begin?

Starting 27 December 2025, eligible commuters can travel without charge on selected stations along the North East Line (NEL) and the Sengkang-Punggol Light Rapid Transit (SPLRT). The initiative launches alongside the annual public transport fare increase, offering timely relief to residents in the northeast region who have faced increasingly crowded trains during morning rush hours.

The free rides will be available before 7.30am and between 9.00am and 9.45am on weekdays, excluding public holidays. These off-peak windows were strategically selected as they experience approximately 40 per cent fewer passengers compared to peak periods, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Which Stations Qualify for Free Morning Rides?

The free train rides northeast Singapore programme covers six NEL stations and all SPLRT stations. Commuters who tap in at any of the following locations during the specified timings will enjoy free travel:

North East Line Stations:

Punggol Coast
Punggol
Sengkang
Buangkok
Hougang
Kovan

Sengkang-Punggol LRT Stations:
All stations along the Sengkang and Punggol LRT lines are included in this initiative.

To qualify, passengers must tap in at one of these stations during off-peak hours and tap out at any other MRT or LRT station using the same fare card or payment method. No registration is required, making the scheme accessible to all commuters who adjust their travel schedules.

Why Is This Initiative Necessary?

The northeast region has experienced significant population growth over the past two decades. Sengkang’s population alone increased from 61,300 residents in 2000 to 265,060 by 2024, whilst Punggol grew from 59,386 residents in 2010 to 204,150 by 2025. This rapid expansion has placed considerable strain on the NEL, which has become one of Singapore’s most congested rail corridors during morning peak hours.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also an MP for Punggol GRC, acknowledged receiving feedback from residents about overcrowding on the NEL. He suggested reintroducing free off-peak morning rides to encourage more residents to travel outside peak hours. “This way we can then encourage more residents to take off-peak services rather than squeeze into the peak hours,” he stated. “We hope to be able to ease the load during the peak hours and bring more convenience to the residents.”

The LTA currently operates up to 40 trains along the NEL during peak hours between 7.30am and 9.30am, up from 36 trains in 2024. Whilst most commuters can board the first arriving train, some must wait an additional two minutes during the busiest periods. The free rides initiative aims to reduce this pressure by redistributing demand across wider timeframes.

How the Travel Smart Journeys Programme Complements Free Rides

Alongside the free train rides northeast Singapore scheme, the LTA has enhanced its Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) programme to provide additional incentives for commuters who adjust their travel patterns. From 27 December 2025, the TSJ programme will remove its minimum travel history requirement, allowing all commuters to register immediately via the SimplyGo app.

Under the enhanced TSJ structure, commuters can earn reward points worth up to 80 per cent of their journey fares through two methods:

Re-timing Journeys:
Commuters who tap in at eligible NEL or SPLRT stations before 7.15am or between 8.45am and 9.45am can earn substantial rebates. The reward structure varies by timing, with the highest rebates (80 per cent) available before 7.15am and between 9.00am and 9.30am. Smaller rebates of 40 per cent apply between 8.45am and 8.59am, as well as between 9.31am and 9.45am.

Switching to Bus Services:
Commuters who opt for selected City Direct Services (CDS) during morning hours instead of taking the NEL can also earn points worth up to 80 per cent of their fares. Eligible services include existing routes such as 43e, 654, 660, 660M, 666, 671, 672, and 673, along with newly launched services 675, 676, 677, and 678 that began operations on 2 January 2025.

Points accumulated through TSJ can be redeemed in blocks of 500 points (equivalent to $5) as cash value credited directly to travel cards. This represents a significant improvement over the previous TSJ format, which awarded fixed points worth $1.50 per eligible trip regardless of fare amount.

Additional Benefits for Northeast Commuters

The free morning rail rides and enhanced TSJ incentives complement other existing fare schemes available to all Singaporeans. Commuters island-wide can still enjoy up to 50 cents discount under the Morning Pre-Peak Fares Scheme when they tap in before 7.45am at any rail station on weekdays, excluding public holidays. This long-standing initiative has encouraged early travel since its introduction in December 2017.

For northeast residents specifically, improved infrastructure also supports smoother commutes. Punggol Coast MRT station opened on 10 December 2024, extending the NEL and reducing journey times to the city centre by approximately 15 minutes for residents in northern Punggol. The station integrates seamlessly with Punggol Coast Bus Interchange, which commenced operations on 29 June 2025, providing enhanced connectivity for workers and students in the Punggol Digital District.

How to Benefit from Free Train Rides

Taking advantage of the free train rides northeast Singapore programme requires minimal effort. Commuters simply need to adjust their travel schedules to tap in at eligible stations before 7.30am or between 9.00am and 9.45am on weekdays. The same fare card or payment method must be used for both entry and exit to qualify for the free ride.

For those interested in maximising savings through the TSJ programme, registration via the SimplyGo app is required. The registration process takes just a few minutes, and commuters only need to indicate the bank or fare card they wish to use for the scheme. Once registered on 27 December 2025, participants will be able to enjoy TSJ rebates from the following Monday, 29 December.

The TSJ dashboard within the SimplyGo app allows participants to track their accumulated points and view their eligibility status. All commuters become instantly eligible upon registration, with no waiting period or minimum travel history required under the new format.

Looking Ahead: A Year-Long Pilot

The free morning off-peak rail rides initiative will run as a year-long pilot, allowing the LTA to assess its effectiveness in redistributing peak-hour demand. During this period, authorities will monitor ridership patterns, congestion levels, and commuter feedback to determine whether the programme should be extended or modified.

The initiative reflects the Government’s broader commitment to managing public transport capacity as residential areas continue to develop. With more than 200,000 households now within a 10-minute walk from NEL stations, effective demand management strategies have become increasingly critical to maintaining service quality.

Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow made the announcement on 18 October 2025 during the official opening of Punggol Coast Bus Interchange, emphasising the integrated approach to addressing northeast congestion through both rail and bus enhancements. The simultaneous introduction of new City Direct bus services and expanded TSJ eligibility demonstrates the multi-pronged strategy to provide commuters with viable alternatives during peak travel periods.

Practical Considerations for Commuters

Whilst the free train rides northeast Singapore programme offers clear financial benefits, commuters should consider whether adjusting their schedules aligns with their personal and professional commitments. The off-peak windows provide flexibility for those with adaptable work arrangements, students with varied class schedules, and residents running errands before or after traditional office hours.

For commuters who cannot shift their travel times, the ongoing infrastructure improvements and increased train frequencies during peak hours continue to enhance capacity. The addition of four more trains during morning peak operations in 2025 represents a tangible effort to accommodate growing ridership whilst complementary programmes encourage voluntary demand distribution.

The five new City Direct bus services launched in early 2025 also provide practical alternatives for residents travelling to the Central Business District, MacPherson, and Paya Lebar employment centres. These express routes utilise highways to offer journey times comparable to rail travel whilst helping to distribute passenger loads across different transport modes.

Conclusion

The introduction of free train rides northeast of Singapore from 27 December 2025 represents a significant initiative to address congestion challenges in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions. By incentivising off-peak travel through complimentary fares and enhanced Travel Smart Journeys rewards, the programme aims to create a more balanced distribution of passengers throughout the morning whilst improving the overall commuting experience.

Residents in Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, Buangkok, and Kovan who can adjust their schedules stand to benefit from meaningful cost savings alongside more comfortable journeys with reduced crowding. As the year-long pilot progresses, the success of this initiative will provide valuable insights into effective demand management strategies for Singapore’s evolving public transport landscape.