As many as 847 of them in Nee Soon South lined up to receive $40 vouchers, which were handed out by MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC and advisor to Nee Soon South Grassroots Organisation, Ms Lee Bee Wah, on Thursday night.

Ms Lee told reporters last year, in Nee Soon South, there were about 100 applications. This year, there were about 900.

Nationwide, up to 130,000 vouchers will be distributed through grassroots leaders, to help the public cope with the recent increase in transport fares.

The one-time distribution, which totals $5.2 million, will help eligible low-income households.

Up to $4.75 million will come from the Government's year-old Public Transport Fund, with transport operators bearing the rest.

To qualify, recipients must have a monthly income of less than $1,500, or if the total household income divided by the number of its members is not more than $450.

In each household, at least one member must be a Singapore citizen. Each household is only entitled to one voucher, which can be used to buy or top up his ez-link transport fare cards or to buy the new monthly concession passes.

The money will help people cope with the increase in public transport fares, which took effect last month.