By Lester Hio And Jalelah Abu Baker, The Straits Times, 28 Apr 2015
TRAIN and bus rides this National Day will be free.
Public transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT announced this yesterday in a joint statement, saying commuters will be able to enjoy both train and bus rides without having to tap their transit cards, from the start to the end of service hours on Aug 9.
Fare gates leading to train services run by SMRT and SBS will also be opened to allow people to board trains on multiple train lines for free.
"The free travel offered by SBS Transit and SMRT on Singapore's 50th birthday will encourage people to attend National Day celebrations islandwide," said the statement.
Housewife Janice Goh, 48, plans to take full advantage of the free rides.
"My family and I might take different buses that day and get off at random stops, just to explore places in Singapore we haven't seen before," she said.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew welcomed the move in a Facebook post yesterday, saying it will allow commuters to get to different venues for National Day celebrations without having to worry about parking or congestion.
He added that the Land Transport Authority will work with SBS and SMRT to make the necessary adjustments to cater for increased travel demand.
Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport chairman Cedric Foo said he hopes commuters will take advantage of the free rides to attend as many events as they can and be part of the celebrations.
Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport chairman Cedric Foo said he hopes commuters will take advantage of the free rides to attend as many events as they can and be part of the celebrations.
"The public transport operators will absorb the cost. It's not a small sum, but this is what they do as part of corporate social responsibility on this auspicious, important day," he said.
SMRT president and group chief executive Desmond Kuek said: "As we celebrate a milestone in the Singapore story, free travel on National Day will provide a boost to Singapore's jubilee birthday celebrations held islandwide."
SBS chief executive Gan Juay Kiat said: "We hope that this will add to the celebratory atmosphere and encourage everyone to get out of the house to celebrate as one united people."
Hey folks, if you’re planning to take a little trip around Singapore town to see the sights and soak in the festivities...
Posted by Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving on Tuesday, August 4, 2015
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