Free travel on buses and trains is not the only benefit for commuters on National Day. SMRT will also be giving out limited-edition SG50 badges and EZ-link card stickers.

They will be made available from noon to 2pm at bus interchanges in Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Sembawang, Woodlands and Yishun, and at the following MRT stations - Ang Mo Kio, Jurong East, Orchard, Stadium and Tampines.

There will be a second giveaway from 3pm to 5pm at the Bayfront, City Hall, Esplanade, Raffles Place and Promenade MRT stations.

A total of 200,000 buttons and 50,000 card stickers will be given away.

On Sunday, commuters will be able to board any public bus without having to tap in with their fare cards. Gantries at all MRT stations will also be kept open.

SMRT expects 30 per cent more commuters at its stations because of the free travel perk.

To cope with the demand, it will be deploying more staff, including 500 who have volunteered to help give away the freebies and assist commuters with directions.

Trains on the North-South and East-West lines will also run every three minutes from 11.30am instead of at the usual four- to five-minute intervals. Maintenance has been ramped up. Senior engineer Yusof Ibrahim, 37, said, for example, that checks on signalling equipment are being done ahead of schedule.