TomTom Traffic Time Study highlights Bukit Timah as the worst suburb for both morning and afternoon peak-hour commute.

TomTom has recently released its second study on travel times to and from 15 Singapore suburbs during peak-hour traffic. Bukit Timah topped the charts as the overall worst suburb for the peak-hour commute, replacing Clementi and Tampines, which took 'line honors' for both morning and afternoon peak-hour commutes, in TomTom’s first study two years ago.

In a comparison of peak and off-peak travel times, Bukit Timah recorded a 111 per cent increase in travel times in the mornings and a 97 per cent increase in evening travel times. In the latest study this year, Clementi featured as the second worst suburb for the morning commute, with a 97 per cent increase in travel time during peak-hours compared to free flow traffic, extending its position as one of Singapore’s most congested suburbs during peak-hour since the pioneer study was published in 2010. It was ranked as the third worst suburb for evening commute with a 93 per cent increase in travel time.

Two years ago, Tampines ranked the worst for morning commute, but has improved this year to rank tenth worst for morning commute. The eastern suburb, previously ranked the best for evening commute, has now been relegated to the sixth worst for evening commute in the latest study. The drop in ranking for evening commute could be due to a variety of factors such as changing driving patterns and road developments in the area.

The top three areas least affected by morning peak-hour traffic are Changi Airport, Pasir Ris and Sengkang, where travel times to the city increased 31, 44 and 45 per cent respectively during rush hours compared to times when traffic was free-flowing. These three suburbs were also least affected by evening commute, although the percentage increase is higher than that in the morning. “TomTom has the world’s biggest database of real travel times. Our unique IQ Routes technology analyses this data and calculate the optimal route to provide TomTom drivers the fastest routes and the most accurate travel times,” said Chris Kearney, Vice President, TomTom Asia Pacific.“

“With the roads in Singapore becoming increasing congested, TomTom’s world-class GPS products can help drivers get to their destinations faster. Significantly, when used on a large scale, it has the potential to ease traffic congestion by routing drivers away from traffic hot spots” said Kearney. IQ Routes is available on all TomTom GPS products, mobile applications and maps in Singapore.