Inflation has been creeping up over the years, and many of us have felt the impact – from pricier groceries to costlier meals and even higher public transport fares. That’s why it’s a bit of a relief that you can enjoy free MRT rides if you live near or travel along the North East Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT, as well as fare discounts on other MRT lines.
Here’s what you need to know about the schemes – read on to find out how you can save a little extra on your daily commute.
The North East Line is one of Singapore’s busiest MRT lines, and with so many commuters hopping on daily, offering free morning rides is a win-win. This initiative aims to ease crowding during peak hours and reward those who are willing to travel during off-peak hours at the same time.
Effective from 27th December 2025, you’ll enjoy a free first ride if you tap in before 7.30am or between 9am and 9.45am on weekdays. Take note that free MRT rides are not applicable during weekends and public holidays.
BTW, you must also tap in from 1 of the 6 North East Line MRT stations between Punggol Coast and Kovan, or from any station along the Sengkang-Punggol LRT.
The best part about this is that you don’t need to register for anything – just tap in and out of the MRT gantry using the same card or payment mode.
Image credit: @wizardsamm via Instagram
The government plans to reassess the scheme after a year, which most likely means by the end of December 2026, before deciding whether to keep it, depending on the take-up rate. So if you’re hoping for these freebies to stick around, consider getting up a little earlier to beat the morning MRT crowd.
Image credit: @smrtsingapore via Instagram
If you didn’t already know, commuters have also been enjoying discounts on any MRT line since 2017 under the Morning Pre-Peak Fares scheme.
As long as you tap in before 7.45am on weekdays, excluding public holidays, you’ll automatically get $0.50 off your fare – it’s small change, but it can add up quickly if you commute to work every day.
The rising cost of living doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, so making small adjustments to your lifestyle, like leaving the house earlier to catch the train, can help to stretch every dollar.
Read our other MRT-related articles:
Cover image adapted from: Wikipedia
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