FILE – Taylor Swift performs during “The Eras Tour,” Friday, May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
The best way to end a concert experience is to get home safe and sound.
Concertgoers know it all too well. The moment the show ends, crowds will flood public transportation, and the waiting times and surge prices for taxis and ride-hailing services can bring you down from your concert high in an instant.
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As Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows kick off on Saturday (Mar 2), fans can soon enjoy their loot from The Great War. But with the expected 52,000 attendees every night, some might find themselves in another battle outside the National Stadium as everyone trudges home.
Given how much local and overseas Swifties have prepared for this moment, it’d be a shame for it to be ruined by their post-concert journey. To help fans get back swiftly, CNA Lifestyle gathered some tips, tricks and things to note about their transportation options.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Over the years, Stadium MRT station has seen hordes of people try to get home after their thrilling concerts. To prepare for the Eras Tour, SMRT Trains has implemented crowd control measures at the station.
Fans can expect SMRT staff to facilitate the crowd by getting commuters to move through the station in batches.
SMRT will also increase train frequencies to shorten waiting times between arriving trains, and keep the faregates open to ease movement in and out of the station.
As part of SMRT’s contingency plan, empty trains will be on standby to aid in crowd dispersal during unforeseen circumstances.
“Our priority is ensuring that commuters get to the concert and go home safely when they travel in our network,” said President of SMRT Trains Lam Sheau Kai in a statement to CNA Lifestyle.
“For all large-scale concerts hosted near our MRT stations, our dedicated team works closely with relevant agencies and stakeholders, including Singapore Sports Hub, to plan and implement effective crowd control management measures.”
For information about the last train timings, fans can look out for the signs placed near the faregate of Stadium MRT station, or search on LTA’s website and SMRT’s Connect app.
Those who wish to skip the long queues at Stadium MRT station can consider heading to the MRT stations that are further away. Kallang MRT station, for instance, is about a 600-metre walk via the link bridge near Gate 14 of the National Stadium.
FREE SHUTTLE BUSES
Good news, Swifties. Grab has brought back their free shuttle buses, with a fleet twice the size of the one they had for the Coldplay concert in January.
Like their previous run, the free shuttle buses will take fans to Redhill, Jurong East, Boon Keng and Toa Payoh MRT stations from the pick-up point near the bridge at gate 14 of the National Stadium.
This time, fans can also stand a chance to win S$5 Grab vouchers when they sing a line from one of Swift’s songs.
♬ original sound – Grab Singapore – Grab Singapore
To help facilitate the crowd, Grab will also deploy 10 staff members every night to direct concertgoers to the right pickup points and address their questions.
Speaking to CNA Lifestyle, a Grab spokesperson shared that they received positive feedback for the Coldplay post-concert shuttle bus service, which ferried about 9,000 people over 200 trips.
In anticipation of larger crowds at Taylor Swift’s six shows, Grab will be activating more efforts to manage the crowds, added the spokesperson.
Aside from doubling the number of shuttle buses, Grab has also partnered with Singapore Sports Hub to help fans navigate out of the National Stadium with over 40 signs across the concert venue.
Fans can also use the walking guide in the Grab app to guide them to their chosen pick-up points for the usual Grab transport options. The app will also automatically suggest the nearest pickup points for users, including OCBC Arena, Kallang Wave Mall, and Kallang Leisure Park.
When asked if Grab had any contingency plans in place, the spokesperson said the on-site Grab staff will monitor the crowd situation to assess if there’s a need to deploy more crowd management staff and increase the frequency and number of shuttle buses.
“Given the sheer volume of people exiting the venue at the same time and limitations of road infrastructure, we expect traffic to be congested around the event venue.
“We hope concertgoers can be patient with us as we anticipate longer waiting times for rides and long queues for shuttle buses.”
And as fans begin to book their rides back, Grab encourages them to share a ride with friends using the multi-stop option, which allows users to add up to three different drop-off points.
“Sharing a ride will enable us to maximise every available vehicle on the road, so that more commuters can find a ride home,” said the Grab spokesperson.
To help overseas fans get around Singapore, Grab has also rolled out a S$12 off promo. Information can be found on signs at the airport and in Grab’s blog post.
Singapore Sports Hub has also been making preparations. Speaking to CNA Lifestyle, a spokesperson said that trained staff will be on the ground to regulate the flow of the crowd and provide directional guidance.
They have also placed signs around the stadium to assist fans with wayfinding, along with large LED screens outside Stadium MRT station to communicate important messages to fans in real-time.
Singapore Sports Hub is collaborating with SMRT and Land Transport Authority to optimise train operations and reduce traffic congestion on the roads around the vicinity, added the spokesperson.
“At the venue, we are working closely with the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force to ensure adequate crowd control, security and safety measures are in place.”
In a press release sent on Feb 29, Singapore Sports Hub also encouraged fans to practise kindness, watch out for their fellow concertgoers and seek help from their staff whenever necessary.
After all, the best way to end a concert experience is to get home safe and sound.
By: Kirby Tan
Originally published at: CNA Lifestyle
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