Singapore, 27 June 2018

SMRT Buses’ Concierge-like “WeCare” Service Counters to Serve Commuters at Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange

1.  Stuck in the rain with no umbrella or with a drained mobile phone battery? Commuters at the Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub (BPITH) can find help at the WeCare shop run by SMRT Buses staff at the bus/MRT transport hub. The WeCare shop, started as a trial last September, provides concierge-like services to commuters who may need to borrow items such as umbrellas and portable mobile device chargers during their journey. The success of the WeCare experience at BPITH – which has been warmly supported by BPITH users with a 100 per cent return rate for loaned items – will see SMRT Buses open its second WeCare shop at Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange. This shop will serve commuters from 30 June 2018 to make the travel experience more convenient for commuters. 

2.  The WeCare concept was piloted at BPITH by SMRT Buses staff who wanted to go the extra mile in serving commuters. It is a first of its kind in promoting social graciousness as items like umbrellas are loaned without the need of any deposit: Commuters simply return loaned items within three days. 

3.  Mr Tan Kian Heong, Managing Director of SMRT Buses and Roads Services, said: “We are delighted that commuters at BPITH find the WeCare experience friendly, convenient and useful. Umbrellas have helped many commuters bridge the last stretch home on rainy days and portable chargers have kept our commuters in touch with their loved ones and friends during their commute. The 100 per cent return rate speaks well of the community support the WeCare shop has established. The pilot WeCare shop at BPITH has proven to be a positive experience for commuters as well as our staff, and we will build on commuters’ feedback to make this experience even better. We look forward to extending this service to commuters at Choa Chu Kang later this week.”

4.  By August 2018, SMRT Buses will be expanding its WeCare shop offerings to include charging cables. These can be used at charging points already available at SMRT Buses’ bus interchanges, or on the go.

5.  SMRT aims to expand the WeCare shop service to its other interchanges in Woodlands and Yishun by end 2018. 

-end-