Rationale for 15-minute Transfer Limit between Train Stations

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) what is the rationale for maintaining the 15-minute transfer limit between different train stations when bus-to-bus transfers allow 45 minutes; (b) why fare transfers are prohibited for consecutive use of the same bus service and exit-and-re-entry at the same train station; and (c) whether the Government will consider removing these restrictions.

Public transport fares are based on the distance travelled in a single continuous journey. Transfer rules are designed to set a reasonable limit to the different segments of a single journey for the purpose of fare-charging. This avoids commuters stringing together multiple journeys with distinct origins and destinations into one, thus being charged incorrect fares.

The 15-minute transfer time limit between train stations was introduced in 2018 to facilitate walking transfers between nearby rail stations which can reduce journey time, for example, between Rochor and Jalan Besar stations on the Downtown Line. This 15-minute transfer rule also applies to a few MRT interchange stations where commuters have to exit and re-enter the fare-paid area to make a transfer, such as Bukit Panjang, Newton and Tampines. A longer transfer time limit is applied to rail-to-bus and bus-to-bus transfers as waiting times for buses are longer than for train services.

Fare transfers are not applied to the consecutive use of the same bus service and exit-and-re-entry at the same train station, as there is no reason for a commuter to tap out and tap in again on the same bus service or train station in a single journey.