Passengers at 68 SMRT-operated train stations in Singapore can now access English-language news updates through audio bulletins from The Straits Times. The new service, announced jointly by SPH Media and SMRT Corporation on October 7, covers stations along the North-South, East-West, and Circle lines, as well as the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (LRT) line.

The audio bulletins last three to four minutes and are broadcast hourly from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. However, the service is excluded at several East-West Line stations, including Bedok, Tanah Merah, Gul Circle, Tuas Crescent, Tuas West Road, and Tuas Link, as well as Braddell station on the North-South Line. On the Circle Line, the broadcasts currently operate only at Keppel, Cantonment, and Prince Edward Road stations, with plans underway to expand coverage to additional stations.

For the Bukit Panjang LRT, the bulletins follow a different schedule, airing during three specific time blocks: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This development builds on a partnership formed between SPH Media and SMRT earlier this year, aimed at enhancing the commuter experience by keeping passengers informed during their journeys. SPH Media’s managing director, Kuek Yu Chuang, described the move as “a meaningful first step in bringing trusted journalism” to daily commuters, emphasizing the opportunity to deliver timely and credible information in transit environments.

Ngien Hoon Ping, group chief executive of SMRT Corp, highlighted the shared public service values of both organisations. He stated that combining SMRT’s extensive network with SPH Media’s content allows the public to “stay informed and up to date” while traveling. He expressed confidence that the initiative will enrich the daily commuting experience by providing accessible, reliable news.

In addition to the audio bulletins, news updates from The Straits Times and Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao are now displayed on digital screens across SMRT station concourses, platforms, and selected bus stops. SPH Media’s newspapers—including The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Berita Harian, and Tamil Murasu—will also be made available via vending machines at SMRT-operated stations, starting with Choa Chu Kang station on October 15.

This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to integrate news services into public transit spaces, aiming to enhance commuters’ access to current affairs while on the move.