They brave the rain for their free paper and goodie bags

There was a slight drizzle yesterday morning outside the Raffles Place MRT station.

But that did not stop a crowd of commuters from braving the rain to get copies of The New Paper, which became a free newspaper yesterday.

Thousands lined up outside Raffles Place MRT station Exit A, with the queue snaking around surrounding buildings, to redeem an OWL Coffee goodie bag that was part of a TNP giveaway.

Those in the queue who had a copy of TNP also received a free micro USB mini fan, courtesy of social network app HeyBuddies.

Mr Tan Jun Kai, 27, a data analyst who was in the queue, picked up a copy of TNP because he thought its content mix is more relevant to him now.

He said: "I used to buy TNP quite a while back, but I stopped because I could always read the news for free online.

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"I also prefer reading business-related news."

To cater to professionals, managers, executives and businessmen (PMEBs), TNP has a new business section monitoring the ups and downs of the stock market, as well as keeping up with developments in the corporate world.

Mr Tan added: "It's convenient because I can take the paper for free at the MRT and read it on my way to work, from Beauty World to Raffles Place."

Madam Jennifer Tan, 51, who works in finance, agreed.

She told TNP: "I am so busy, have no time to read the news. The only time I can find to read the news is when I'm travelling to work, so I'll just take the free paper at the MRT (stations)."

OWL International assistant general manager for advertising and promotions Joie Wong said she was happy to see so many people queueing for the new TNP and enjoying OWL coffee.

"We look forward to partnering TNP for more of such meaningful events in future," she added.

Mr Jeremiah Ng, chief technology officer of HeyBuddies, said he was encouraged when he saw many young professionals grabbing a copy.

"We've partnered with TNP because it's the paper to look out for in the coming future," said Mr Ng, 32.

"It serves an important segment of the population - PMEBs. Now that it's free, it reaches out to more people and the circulation is higher.

"It has a lot of potential, which we would like to tap into."

GOOD START

Singapore Press Holdings chairman, Dr Lee Boon Yang, also stopped by Raffles Place yesterday to observe the paper being distributed.

"I think (the long queue is) a good start, but it's still early days," he said.

"There's still a lot of work for us to do, to make sure that the new New Paper becomes a well-accepted and well-read newspaper in Singapore's context. We will certainly do our best. The editorial team will ensure that the content is persuasive and interesting for readers."

TNP editor Eugene Wee, who was there handing out papers to commuters, said his priority is the readers.

"For 28 years, people paid to read TNP. Now they are getting the same paper, and more, for free. I think our reader comes up as the biggest winner in our revamp," he said.

"My hope is that with our new content mix, we can continue to cater to readers who have been with us all the way while attracting a brand new readership as well."