SMRT gives perks to early travellers

QX179R SG

SINGAPORE: From Monday, come to office early via the MRT and enjoy discounts on your breakfast.

Until October 31, commuters who exit any of the nine MRT stations within the city area before 7.30am will not only enjoy the discounted breakfast but also a 10-cents discount on their fares.

Named "SMRT Early Travel Perks", the promotion is designed to encourage commuters to travel earlier before the morning peak hour.

SMRT has partnered food and beverage merchants with outlets near the nine stations.

Commuters can look forward to enjoy breakfast items with discounts ranging from
10 per cent to 50 per cent.

Discount flyers will be distributed at the nine MRT stations from 7am to 7.30am. They can redeemed at participating F&B merchants from 7am-8.30am.

The 10-cents fare discount will remain for early birds even after the promotion period. - 938LIVE.

Scania SG

The 10 cent discount was there for like years already? Just that they make it known that its new. Last time they say too many people squeeze train so they introduce 10 cents discount, but nobody cared about it apparently.

QX179R SG

http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/incentive/index.html

^tamago^ SG

Yes, it has been there for years.

deathwish SG

Wah discrimination against commuters to suburban areas to work =X

sbst275 SG

SMRT's Jul ridership hit close to 46m!

SBS2748P SG

Does the 10 cent discount apply to students as well?

jayh272416 SG

Wah discrimination against commuters to suburban areas to work =X

thank you SMRT. Im gonna take the bus xD

alwaysdisturbed SG

10 cents.

i rather pay 10 cents and sleep a little more.

QX179R SG

Commuters think SMRT should improve on new initiative

SINGAPORE: A new SMRT initiative to get city-bound travellers to board the trains before the morning rush hours was off to a slow start on Monday, despite the transport operator handing out flyers a week before to inform commuters at nine MRT stations of the new promotion.

The nine MRT stations are Orchard, Somerset, Dhoby Ghaut, City Hall and Raffles Place on the North-South Line, and Lavender, Bugis, Tanjong Pagar and Outram Park on the East-West Line.

From Monday until October 31, commuters who exit any of the nine MRT stations before 7.30am will enjoy discounted breakfasts and a 10-cent discount on their fares.

But some commuters said the incentives are not good enough to get them out of the house earlier.

Teo Cher How said: "I'm always early so I fit into the timing anyway. I think it's not as tangible as having direct discount on travel cost. I guess (a) greater discount on travel cost (may help)."

However, Shannon Koh, who boarded the train from Yishun, welcomed the gesture and even claimed her discounted breakfast at one participating outlet – all without having to change her travel schedule.

"If you can save 10 cents, I think it still helps a little. I prefer to come to work early, on time and have time for breakfast before work. I usually have it outside, so I think this (incentive) benefits me," she said.

Another commuter, Ms Deva, said it is a good idea, but it really depends on whether she has to be in the office earlier than 7.30am or not. As for the 10-cent fare discount, she feels the amount is not significant enough.

Participating F&B outlets at the Raffles Place MRT station such as Mr Bean, Spinellis, and Polar Puffs and Cakes said less than 20 commuters redeemed their discounted breakfast.

Nonetheless, SMRT is hopeful that its latest move to help ease the surge in ridership during peak travel hours will get a better response. - CNA/so