SINGAPORE - There has been moderate response in the first week of the free pre-peak travel trial launched on Jun 24, 2013.
Preliminary results from the first week of the trial indicated that there was a sustained decrease of about 7 per cent of commuters exiting the 16 designated city stations during the peak period between 8.00am and 9.00am, compared to the average daily figures of 94,000 for the first three weeks of June 2013.
There was a 29 per cent increase in exits during the pre-peak period between 7.00am and 7.45am.
There was adequate capacity in the trains observed last week for the pre-peak period.
The LTA had worked with the train operators to inject additional train trips throughout the week to cater to the increase in pre-peak travel.
Additional exit fare gates were also activated at stations where there was a higher number of commuters exiting.
On the first day after school reopened on Jul 1, there was a decrease of about 2 per cent, or about 1,900 commuters exiting the 16 city stations during the peak period.
This was compared to the average daily figures of 96,500 for the month of May 2013, before the June school holidays.
There was a 34 per cent increase in exits today during the pre-peak period between 7.00am and 7.45am, again as compared to May 2013.
LTA points out that July is typically a high ridership month, and there could be daily fluctuations.
There were in fact about 6 per cent more exits at the 16 city stations between 7.00am and 9.00am today compared to the average daily figures in May 2013.
LTA expects travel patterns to take some time to stabilise.
LTA will provide a more detailed assessment of ridership patterns later this year.
LTA would like to thank the commuters who have participated in the trial and shifted out of the peak period, as well as employers who have facilitated their employees to travel earlier.
LTA also appreciates the support from businesses and retailers, such as those who have extended their opening hours or introduced promotions to complement the launch.