The $10 mllion worth free morning travel trial was announced back in April and starts today for a year - where commuters will travel for free when they exit from one of the 16 stations within the city area before 7:45am on weekdays and there will be a $0.50 fare discount for those who exit from the same stations between 7:45am and 8:00am.
Some commuters are willing to give the scheme a try while others like 28-year old Accountant Amanda Lee, told The Straits Times they will if more flexible work hours are offered. Amanda is willing to wake up half an hour earlier to catch a train at 7:00am from Khatib to Tanjong Pagar, provided she is allowed to start and end work early as well.
With the scheme's announcement, a number of Government and private sector firms allow their employees to start and finish work earlier with more expected to do so. Some 14,000 civil servants who work in the CBD vicinity can take advantage of the free train rides. Meanwhile Ernst & Young's Country Managing Partner, Max Loh, said staff in his firm have been allowed to start work between 7:30am and 9:30am from the 1st of May - while the company is also increasing staff that work from home.
34-year old Bank Analyst, Jonathan Lee, is still on the fence about waking up earlier to bring forward his travelling time. "I may give it a try to see if I can avoid the crowds and get a seat. But if I know I have to work late, I'd rather get a bit more sleep and squeeze a little," he said.
The free travel trial is not extended to students and national servicemen who are on monthly concession passes.
